l(*^***'iP’ ’’i.'lji »*lj 

iK::li^!}iiP;:;|!;.i:!‘ii;:!i 












V ' 




^ .v> ^ 


THE THREE 

GAYS 
MAINE 

ETHEL C. BROWN 












4 ^> . . ^ f ' , 


t -f _•.**••* 

^ ■ •:^/. -i* 



y Jk -• •rf'/ >A * vv, * . . '* . : i. 

u > V > *,' •' ‘ : ' v* 

‘’^jLi-'^- ■ <• ‘h '• ■ ' ''V ', 

'-IIISk i ' ' <-■ ■' ‘t' ' >■ v- 


* AV-Rf ' '>i 




• • • m. ’ -. ^ : 4i» • *>ir.fVur^K 

; ■ TJ" V ^ w|Hl 

• iV* ' 5 ‘ ^ ’ f"> . “i.’ .-■*• w 

i v"'- \ . . ,-„ ■' ,■'• *;,"i 

, -; ; ■-•. ,-, '■ , ;j 

w • ft % f • ‘ • 




» tt 


u * 


.:? \ I 


\ > 


( • » ' 

\ 

* k> • • .j 



^ 5- , 

'i 7 - ■: ‘v v"v 

'V^^v,' ■ 


V I 


♦ -. ■ 


>««» 4 


V 




« ^ 


■ - V 


»-» 


41 


^fr ' I*. ^ •• • .' ' ' 


I < 




» .'« 


i\ 


■fr ' 

- I.'^: 

W^‘ ' ■ ' '■ 




■ ir 


* I 

» 


.1 






ir- i’. v'vV I.' 


It' 


; . ■ ' *• ’ 

.■ .' '• .' 


* I 

• . i 


■'• u. 


'...^t^- . .'^ : .•"■'• V,'-: r 

. -- 0 -.YV'.- ..|^•. ■ 

'•^^ I ■•• ':v. ^>..N':,' . 4 :'- ../' .‘^. 


' ‘ ' iA' ■ifi.**' , 


I » 

♦ ^ 


h « ' < A ( ^ 

. H.* '4 ' 




£ 


» 

# / 


. i». 


I • 


'V ■ '■ ' 

Vi'W' V :.• ^ 


«» 


<■ - ^■ 


i ' “j ■ » A'«^ 

', r': 

*iM,lV^ j; . •. ■ * - w y'L . . > 


i/ * 




i£i^‘ - 4 *-^ r^K. * ' - ^ - •■ , . • . 

'v'- , :. ' V l^v 


• « 








“it acts like an animal” 






COPYRIGHT 
1917 by 

the PENN 
PUBLISHING 
COMPANY 





I 


MAR 20 1317 


The Three Gays in Maine 


©CU455972 

I'P / 

» , 


I 


Introduction 


A HOUSE made of gray shingles sits perched 
like a nest high on a cliff overlooking the ocean. 
Winds straight from the open sea blow across it; 
winds from fragrant hemlock and spruce forests ; 
winds from spicy meadows of waving grass and 
sweet fern. There is no dust. There are no 
germs. The air is as fresh and pure as air can 
be. 

There is no driveway to the house. Grass and 
flowers grow around the piazza steps. Groups 
of evergreen trees are scattered about but not so 
thickly as to shut off the view of the sea and 
sky. Farther away the woods are as dense as 
primeval forests. A grassy path leads down- 
hill to the tiny cottage where the Widow Rover 
and her son live ; and with them her brother, 
Captain Grumpus. Mrs. Rover is washing the * 
supper dishes in the Gays^ kitchen, singing 
softly as she works. There is no other sound 
3 


INTRODUCTION 


4 

save the deep murmur of the sea, ever present, 
the answering echo of the wind in the trees, and 
the twilight song of the birds. How peaceful 
and still it seems to those who have just come 
from the rush and roar of the city ! 

A group of people is gathered at one end of 
the long piazza which extends around three 
sides of the house. They are watching the sun 
set over the wonderful Camden Hills, lying just 
far enough away to look mysterious and en- 
chanted, like hills of fairy-land. 

The people are old friends of ours first met in 

The Three Gays.’^ We recognize each one in 
turn. There is Mr. Gay, with a twinkle in his 
eye, as though he is on the point of saying some- 
thing funny ; curly-headed Jack is sitting on 
his knee. There is Mrs. Gay, looking off over 
the water, with the blue of the ocean reflected 
in her eyes and the warmth of the sunset glow 
in her soft hair. Roger is perched on the piazza 
rail, and Kathryn is near by, her golden curls 
flying in the breeze. 

A year has passed since we saw The Three 
Gays in Merryton.’^ The old farmhouse is 


INTRODUCTION 


S 

closed for the first time in many years while 
our friends Bijah and Aunt Sally are out West 
taking care of Bijah^s sick brother. That is 
why the Gay family have come to spend the 
summer on an island in Maine ; a familiar and 
beloved spot to Mr. and Mrs. Gay, who have 
spent many summers here when the children 
were so little that now they scarcely remem- 
bered it at all. 


Contents 


I. 

Three Lazy Gays 




II 

II. 

Captain Grumpus . 




17 

III. 

An Eventful Morning . 




21 

IV. 

Other Discoveries 




26 

V. 

Roger Has a Fright 




36 

VI. 

The Fish-Hawk’s Nest 




43 

VII. 

Mrs. Rover . 




54 

VIII. 

The Fog Comes In 




63 

IX. 

New Arrivals 




71 

X. 

“ Fat Man’s Island” 




80 

XI. 

Ann and Kathryn 




97 

XII. 

The Hidden Reefs 




108 

XIII. 

Hepzibah 




121 

XIV. 

Hare and Hounds 




126 

XV. 

A Moonlight Sail 




131 

XVI. 

“ Hayin’ ”... 




138 

XVII. 

The Sea Dog 




147 

XVIII. 

Mrs. Rover . 




162 

XIX. 

The Clambake 




172 

XX. 

The Tide River . 




189 

XXI. 

Prizes .... 




204 


7 


Illustrations 


“ It Acts Like an Animal ” 

The Cord Was Let Out . 

“ Run, Now, or YeTl Git Lost ” 
The Water Came Up to the Hubs 
Soon a Fire Was Blazing . 


Frontispiece ^ 
. 244^ 

. 68 ^ 

• 144’^ 

. 183 


The Three Gays in Maine 







The Three Gays in Maine 


CHAPTER I 

THREE LAZY GAYS 

** What lazy people ! ” exclaimed Mrs. Gay, 
as she threw open the upper part of the Dutch 
door and looked out. The three children were 
lolling about in steamer chairs and hammocks. 
It was the day after their arrival on the island. 
They were still sleepy after the long, beautiful 
water trip. 

It is nice to be lazy just at first,^' said Kath- 
ryn, stretching her arms luxuriously and falling 
back into the depths of the hammock. 

Four whole months to do just as we please,*^ 
said Roger. No lessons, no school. And weVe 
going to have jolly larks. Roger swung back 
and forth delightedly. 

** Not a thing to do but have a good time I ** 
11 


12 


THE THREE GATS 


piped Jack from the big canvas chair. ''Oh, 
it's corking, corking, corking I " 

Mrs. Gay closed the Dutch door behind her, 
seated herself comfortably in a steamer chair 
and looked at the children. Then she laughed 
a soft little laugh. 

" You are drinking in the Maine air and the 
ocean view, and it makes you sleepy at first," 
she said. " And a wonderful view like this that 
you have before you must ' sink in,' of course. 
But you surely do not want to waste four pre- 
cious months in just ' having a good time,' as 
you say. Dear me, how bored you would all be 
before the summer was over ! Why not have 
the summer count for something? " 

" How, Mama ? What do you mean ? " asked 
Kathryn. 

" Well, I can think of several schemes," said 
Mrs. Gay, thoughtfully. 

The children sat up and looked more wide 
awake. Their mother's schemes were always 
sure to be interesting ones. 

" I have been thinking," she went on, " of all 
the fascinating things there are to do in a place 


IN MAINE 


13 

like this. There are collections to make, for 
instance. One of you might collect flowers and 
learn their names ; one might press leaves and 
learn about the trees. There is no end to the 
things. All you have to do is to choose. At 
the end of the summer we might have an exhi- 
bition ; prizes, too, perhaps, for the best collec- 
tions. How do you like that idea ? 

I love flowers, said Kathryn. “ I might 
have an herbarium like the one Grandfather 
had.” 

“ That would be lovely,” said her mother. 

It is great fun to press flowers, they are so 
beautiful. You would learn their names and 
label each one ; and learn all about them, too.” 

I’d like to collect all sorts of sea things,” 
said Roger. And I would like to learn about 
the wild birds.” 

Capital I ” cried Mrs. Gay. '' Wait until you 
have been down on the rocks and beaches at low 
tide. There are wonderful sea pools here.” 

I got two stunning pebbles this morning 
before breakfast,” remarked Jack, feeling in his 
pockets. One was bright red and the other 


THE THREE GArS 


H 

was green with a yellow stripe. Where are 
they, I wonder ? — Oh, I remember, I put them 
under my pillow when I made my bed.’^ 

“ That^s a good safe place, Jacky,^’ laughed 
Roger. “ I’m glad you don’t make my bed.” 

“ I wouldn’t make your bed I ” retorted Jack. 

Well, what I was going to say was, I think I 
shall collect pretty stones.” 

“ That is a good idea,” said his mother. 
“ And why don’t you press leaves and learn the 
different trees? I will show you how.” 

I think I should like to do that,” said Jack. 
*^The best thing about making collections,” 
said Mrs. Gay, is that you have so many 
adventures while making them, and you learn 
so many unexpected things besides. How could 
any one want to be lazy when there are so 
many nice things to do ? Perhaps you would 
like to know what I am going to do. Well, I 
am going to try and braid baskets like those the 
Indians make. There is sweet grass growing 
here, they say. The Indians used to come here 
every year to get it. I am going to try to 
find it.” 


IN MAINE 


15 

Well, it looks as though we might have a 
jolly exhibition, anyhow,'^ said Roger. “ We can 
give the Jamison boys a big surprise by and by.’^ 
“ I am glad the Jamisons are to be so near 
us,^^ said Mrs. Gay. Their cottage is only 
a short distance away. You will have fine 
times together. 

I wish there were some little girls for me to 
play with,^^ said Kathryn. 

Which one of your little friends would you 
most like to have come and visit you, Kate?^^ 
asked her mother. 

Oh ! cried Kathryn, bouncing upright in 
the hammock, "‘Ann! Ann Farthingale I I 
wish she could come. Do you think she could? ” 

I wish she might, the dear child,” answered 
Mrs. Gay, with a bright smile at Kathryn. I 
was quite sure that you would choose Ann ; 
so sure that I wrote yesterday to invite Miss 
Farthingale and Ann to visit us.” 

“ Oh, I hope she’ll come ! I hope they’ll 
come I ” sang Kathryn. She was thoroughly 
awake now. 

And the fellows are coming week after next. 


1 6 THE THREE GATS 

We shall have a chance to get acquainted with 
the place before they get here. I'm going to 
start in to-morrow and do things," said Roger, 
beginning to walk up and down. 

“ So am 1 1 " cried Jack, sitting on the piazza 
rail. 

Do things ? " inquired a voice from some- 
where behind them. Turning, they saw their 
father’s head sticking out of the door. '' Do 
things ? " he repeated. Suppose you start now 
instead of waiting until to-morrow. I have an 
errand for you to do. I would like to have 
you go down and see Captain Grumpus. You 
will find him outside his fish house, probably. 
Tell him that we will go for a sail to-morrow 
afternoon if he can take us and if there is a 
good wind. And ask him for three good-sized 
lobsters. You can each carry one, I guess. 
That will save him the trouble of bringing them 
himself ; he has rheumatism and hates to walk 
up hill, I know." 

Will you take these magazines to him too, 
please ? " said Mrs. Gay. “ He loves to read, and 
books are scarce on the island." 


CHAPTER II 


CAPTAIN GEUMPUS 

Captain Grumpus was sitting on a bench out- 
side his fish house door, smoking a corn-cob 
pipe. He was a rather fierce-looking object. 
His cap was tilted at a queer angle ; he had a 
long, grizzled red beard and a ruddy, weather- 
beaten face ; and he wore a pea-jacket, faded 
into all the colors of the rainbow, brown over- 
alls and rubber boots. He seemed to be asleep, 
for he did not move as the children drew near. 
The fish house looked very interesting. All 
sorts of sea things lay about ; ropes, rudders, 
oars and fish nets. A pile of lobster pots lay 
neatly stacked beside the door. There was a 
delightfully fishy smell about the place. 

“ Do you s'pose he is asleep ? inquired Jack 
in a “ stage whisper.^^ ‘‘ I guess he likes to be 
lazy, anyhow.” 

^‘Lazy, young feller ! ” exclaimed the captain 
suddenly in a hoarse roar that made the chil- 
17 


i8 


THE THREE GATS 


dren jump into the air with surprise. Do you 
know,” he went on, opening one eye and fixing 
it upon the frightened Jack, that I was up this 
mornin' at three o'clock, a-gittin' in lobsters? 
An' my day's wuck done afore five? Hey? 
What time was you up ? Hey ? '' 

Jack was too frightened to speak. It was not 
until the captain opened the other eye and took 
his corn-cob pipe from his mouth that Jack saw 
that there was a twinkle in his eyes and a look 
about his mouth not altogether fierce. A second 
look into those keen, gray, far-sighted eyes and 
at the mouth with its good-natured curve con- 
vinced him that Captain Grumpus was not 
fierce at all. 

I didn't get up till seven,'' said Jack, faintly. 
** There ! What did I tell yer ! '' roared the 
captain. These riisticators come down here 
'n' see a hard wuckin' man a-restin' a minute 
from his labors, 'n' they call him lazy. Wall, 
what was it yer come fur? '' 

Papa says we should like to go sailing to- 
morrow afternoon if you think the wind will 
hold,'' said Roger. 


IN MAINE 


19 

Captain Grumpus squinted at the sky and 
nodded. 

Wind^ll hold, I reckon. Ter-morrer’ll be a 
good day. Wot time ? 

Two o'clock,'^ replied Roger. “ And we 
should like three good-sized lobsters, please. 
We will take them home with us.^^ 

Their new friend shook the ashes from his 
pipe, rose stiffly and walked into the fish house, 
the children at his heels. Going to what seemed 
a big chest in one corner, he lifted the lid and 
took out three bright red lobsters, weighed them 
carefully and handed one to each of the chil- 
dren. 

‘‘ Why, they are warm I” cried Kathryn. 

“Jest been biled,^’ said the captain. “Was 
swimmin^ this mornin^ ; bright green then ; 
you^d oughter see ^em alive.'^ 

“ I wish I could, said Roger. 

“ Git up at three o'clock some mornin' 'n' I'll 
take yer lobsterin' ; or, hold on, I'll wait a bit 
fer yer; make it five o'clock." 

“ Oh, I'll go with you. Captain Grumpus ! " 
cried Roger. 


20 


THE THREE GATS 


‘‘ So will 1 1 cried Kathryn and Jack. If 
I wake up/’ added Kathryn. 

I think I shall wake up/’ said Jack. 

Done ! ” declared the captain. Ter-morrer 
mornin’ at — five. But ye’ll oversleep an’ fergit 
ter come. Landlubbers ain’t used ter gittin’ up 
early.” 

‘‘ I shall be there,” said Roger. “ You can 
count on me. Five o’clock. I won’t forget.” 

The old fisherman looked keenly at Roger 
and nodded. You’ll be here, I know yer 
will,” he said. 

Captain Garry Grumpus stood at the door of 
the fish house chuckling as he watched the 
three small figures toiling up the path with the 
three good-sized lobsters. Then he threw back 
his head and roared. Smokin’ in my sleep ! 
Ha I Ha ! That’s a good one ! ” he chuckled 
hoarsely, slapping his knee. 


CHAPTER III 


AN EVENTFUL MOENING 

The following morning was an eventful one 
for Roger. It began with his trip after lobsters 
with Captain Grumpus. He was the only one 
to keep the appointment. Kathryn and Jack 
did not wake until seven o’clock, and by that 
time the captain and Roger were returning with 
a good haul of lobsters in the bottom of the boat. 

Roger found himself well repaid for getting 
up early. Is not every one always repaid for 
it ? The early morning air, so pure and fresh ; 
so different from what it is at any other time of 
day ; the beautiful sunrise colors in the sky 
which fade away quickly ; the fun of doing 
something new and “different” appealed to 
Roger’s sporting instinct. Then the row out 
with the jolly captain was a treat in itself. 
Captain Grqmpus was one of the few remaining 
fishermen who despised the newfangled “ puff 
21 


22 


THE THREE GATS 


boats and used gasoline on his fishing boat 
only when absolutely necessary. Roger had a 
practical lesson in rowing and managing a dory. 
He learned, too, how to row standing up 
with crossed oars, which he had never seen done 
before. 

“ There goes my nevvy, Charley Rover,^^ re- 
marked the captain as a saucy little motor boat 
went prancing beyond their bows and soon left 
them far behind. The young man standing 
motionless in the bow, wearing, like the captain, 
a big rubber apron, waved his hand to them as 
he passed and sang out a cheery good-morning. 
A dog stood, like a sentinel, in the bow of the 
dory. 

He knows how ter manage a boat all right, 
thet boy,^’ said the captain proudly. He^s 
been on the water all his life. Learned every- 
thin^ from me. His father was drownded, yer 
know, in thet big storm. Wall, Jack likes ter 
go fast an^ save time, he says. Says Tm an ole 
fogey. Wall, p^raps I am. But time ainT much 
object ter me. I git in my lobsters, an^ then I 
rests. Here's my fioat. Green an' red. I 


IN MAINE 


23 

painted it myself. See my initials, * G. G.* 
Garry Grampus, thetas my name.’^ 

The captain pulled up the little green and 
white ** bob of wood and then began to draw 
up the rope, hand over hand, until at last the 
slats of the lobster pot appeared. Then with a 
strain and a boost up it came and rested, with 
water pouring from it, on the boat’s edge. 

“ Hullo, there I ” cried the captain, peering 
in between the slats. There they are, hey ? 
Crawled in the hole there, and they didn’t hev 
sense enough ter crawl out agin. Wa’n’t thet 
stupid, now ? ” 

With a dexterous motion of the hand the 
wriggling green lobsters were taken from the 
cage through a door which the captain opened 
in the side, and then tossed to the bottom of 
the boat. There were three big ones, and a 
little one. Captain Grumpus looked doubtfully 
at this last. Then he drew from his pocket a 
wooden measuring stick, measured the lobster, 
and with a shake of the head threw it back ^ 
into the sea. 

There I Grow a while an’ come agin I ” re- 


THE THREE GATS 


24 

marked the captain as he baited his lobster pot, 
and fastened the door, leaving the opening ready 
for the next catch. Then splash it went into the 
water ; the cord was let out until once more the 
wooden bob floated on the surface. 

“ Charley^s is yaller, with ' C. R.^ on it ; an^ 
Bob Sands’s is red an’ black with ‘ B. S.,’ an’ 
so on,” said the captain as he bent again to the 
oars on his way to the next lobster pot. There’s 
Bob now,” he added, pointing to where a little 
motor boat was “ chug-chugging ” through the 
water. Roger watched the boat skim swiftly 
toward the red and black bob, curve grace- 
fully and stop at exactly the right spot. Down 
went the man’s arm, up came the rope and, soon 
after, the lobster pot. Then away went the boat 
again, the man standing motionless in the bow. 
It looked very easy ; much easier than rowing, 
Roger thought. 

Why did you throw away that lobster, 
Cap’n ? ” asked Roger. 

Thet was a ‘ short.’ Didn’t measure up ter 
the right size. It’s agin the law ter ketch 
‘ shorts,’ ” was the reply. 



THE CORD WAS LET OUT 




I*' 



i " 7 « 






' u 


• fm-M ^ 


■: V•^VJ|MW ■ 

i “tij ,**<*'. 


t • 



;•. ./■ ' - 


2*/ 






>3 ;.» t'k- V ■' ’ f 

!i; < 7 *. • • 


r • • . • *t ' ^ 

r.* 'n . • % t 


■ : - 


p 



j v-^v . .. 







T “w 

*’* ' A i- 


* t 




(r 


V' 


«ft 



I 







» 9^W *% M ^ 

4 4-« W % • « ^ ^ 

v»,t» V : ,. 


(. '. ■‘-K'- 


#» 


■ \:t " 

’k‘V" ''"■'•A.’ '^p* 


It'’ 


f ■: ^ ‘ 

► ■ ■' .. ‘* .- 

T ^ 


* i *' ; » ♦' 'S ' y i~ , 

^ < ♦•5- ••->< * ,« ••A j 

^*"'7* J * 

-f^- V4^ A 

^ ft « >. « 


V l» • 

^ «4 1 


A 



^r 




' ^ ^r: --'"t 



.^U ■ -f 

*0- V • * h* ''«^ ‘ je '- 

•' • i . 

** . *> • • »i R* 

'-.;■ a ^ 

- u. •■ ‘ 

> ■!?'. Jr 



\ 




r >1 


.. •# 
V • -*■ 


* k 

.•V' f 


" V ''j ,i. 

:i5r>' i ’. v ' " 



< 


'Tl •>'.' , 


■ 'I ' r*.-' 



- 


»♦' 


• • 


»« ^ . s 

.&• 






“4 ■*" 


'U 


Ct 







•* 


- « > 






,i 




c 




'ftW-V-i "’dlijd ' 


• >, 


J 



/“■■ V 




^ * 


.V'*- 


C 


!♦- 


'ift. 


•■ * 



y 



1 

>* 


• r. 







K:^ 


«1rw 




k-* 


<;■« . £• .4' ^ 


^i 




IN MAINE 


25 

The catch was a good one. The captain and 
Roger were in high spirits as they rounded the 
point and saw once more the little beach and 
the grassy slope leading to “ Eaglets Nest.*^ 
The sun was higher now. It was nearly seven. 
The mysterious light of early morning was gone. 

I guess Kit and Jack will be sorry they 
didnT wake up/' said Roger. “ I've had a 
great time." 

“ Glad yer come," said the captain heartily. 

Come agin. You're the right sort. I knew 
ye'd come. Wall — I’ll see ye-all at two this 
arternoon." 


CHAPTER IV 


OTHER DISCOVERIES 

In the meantime Kathryn and Jack, though 
late in rising, were not behindhand once they 
were thoroughly awake. They were ready to 
make discoveries too. After breakfast they 
watched their mother scatter crumbs on the 
piazza roof, just under her window. It did not 
take long for the birds to discover the crumbs. 
First a sparrow came, then another ; by and by 
a big, fat robin came, stayed a while and then 
flew away. But he returned. After him came 
some j uncos, by twos and threes, until there was 
quite a flock of them. At first, the least move- 
ment frightened them, but they soon grew used 
to seeing people in the window, and pecked at 
the crumbs quite unconcernedly, cocking their 
little heads and hopping about in such a cun- 
ning way that the children laughed aloud, which 
26 


IN MAINE 


27 

caused them to fly into the air and off like a 
gust of wind. 

Oh, dear, we have frightened them away,^^ 
said Kathryn. 

‘‘ Never mind. They will come again, said 
her mother. And in a minute or two they did 
come, looking about suspiciously and ready to 
fly at the least sound or movement near them. 

We mustnT laugh again, said Jack. 

Think how it would seem to have to be on 
the lookout all the time for possible danger as 
these little birds are,’^ said Mrs. Gay. There is 
not a second that they are not on their guard. 
Cats, squirrels and other enemies are watching 
constantly to catch them at an unguarded mo- 
ment.^^ 

How awful I exclaimed Kathryn. I 
should be frightened all the time. Why, I 
should not have any fun at all for fear some- 
thing might happen to me.^^ 

‘‘ But they don’t seem so afraid of us as they 
were,” said Jack. “ See, that little one came 
quite near. See him look at us ! ” 

Dear little thing,” said Mrs. Gay. “ They 


28 


THE THREE GATS 


are trustful creatures, and soon become friendly 
when they know we do not mean to hurt them. 
But they must be on guard. All animals have 
to be. And I have heard that most of them get 
caught unawares sooner or later. Hardly any 
of them ' die in their beds.' See, there goes the 
robin with a fat worm in his bill. I saw him 
fly past a moment ago. He must have a nest 
very near. Now we will scatter some more 
crumbs and leave them." 

As the children came out upon the piazza 
below, they could hear the pat-patter of tiny 
feet on the roof above. The crumbs must be 
disappearing fast. 

It did not take Kathryn and Jack long to 
decide what to do first. Down they raced to 
the beach, past Mrs. Rover's tiny cottage no big- 
ger than a nutshell, but so neat and pretty I An 
old-fashioned flower garden was at one side. 
In front was a darling little porch with vines 
growing over it. At the far end of the beach 
stood Captain Grumpus's fish house. But the 
captain was not in sight. The children danced 
and ran on the hard sand and frolicked in 


IN MAINE 


29 

the waves. Jack filled his pockets with pretty 
stones. Then they started to walk back along 
the shore. 

The tide was low. All sorts of curious sea 
things lay among the seaweed and rocks. There 
were starfish, limpets clinging to the rocks, 
shells of various sizes, shapes and colors ; funny 
little crabs that walked backwards or sideways 
or “ any old way,” Jack' said, that they chose. 
A very convenient thing to be able to do. 
These crabs nipped dreadfully with their small, 
sharp claws, as Jack found to his cost when 
he tried to take one up. There were big, 
horrid-looking jellyfish lying about, not at all 
pleasant to touch. There were lovely sea pools 
and rocks covered with pink and green and 
brown coral-like crust. 

Kathryn, wandering about among the rocks, 
came upon a wonderful sea cave, big enough to 
stand up in. There was a foot of water in it, 
left by the high tide, which had filled it. The 
floor, walls and ceiling were covered with beau- 
tiful, crushed-strawberry color, green and brown. 
Weird reflections danced on the walls and ceil- 


THE THREE GATS 


30 

ing. There was a smooth stone inside, made 
on purpose to sit on, so that one might look at 
the water, and down into its depths, and watch 
the tiny sea creatures run about. The seaweed 
floated dreamily to and fro. It was cold and 
dark and still in the cave. There seemed to be 
a strange hush of expectancy there. How dif- 
ferent it must be when the tide came roaring 
and bellowing into it I 

Kathryn looked at the walls and ceiling and 
felt sure that something must live in so beautiful 
a place. Perhaps a mermaid lived there. It 
was just the place for a mermaid’s dwelling. 
There was a silvery echo that came and went 
from under the rock somewhere. It seemed like 
a dream, so far away from everything. Suppose 
the mermaid should come out from underneath 
that dark crevice in the corner, glide through 
the water, gleaming and fascinating, with her 
long green hair floating round her. How that 
long green seaweed floated wide in the pool, and 
how the reflections danced and gleamed ! 

Suppose the mermaid should come and invite 
Kathryn to come down under the water, where 


IN MAINE 


31 

those green and yellow and red reflections were. 
Down, down to the sea caves. If she reached 
up a white, moist hand and drew Kathryn down ! 
Would she refuse to go? Suppose the mermaid 
caught and held her there, in that enchanted 
cave, until the tide came booming in and 
drowned her I 

A hoarse roar and a thump from outside some- 
where brought Kathryn to her feet with a jump, 
and out of the cave into the sunlight. It was 
like coming back from a dream into common- 
place life again. Further along the shore she 
could see her mother and Jack bending over a 
pool. 

Hallo ! cried Jack, beckoning excitedly. 
** Come and see the sea amem — anem — amemo- 
nies ! ” 

“ Sea anemones, you mean, Jacky,^^ laughed 
his mother. 

Kathryn found them in front of a charming 
little pool, lined with floating brown seaweed. 
Mrs. Gay pushed this aside and there Kathryn 
beheld the first sea anemones that she had ever 
seen. The biggest ones were about as big as 


THE THREE GATS 


32 

one^s fist, of a golden brown color. They were 
spread open like flowers. 

'' Here is a green one,'' said Mrs. Gay, pushing 
more seaweed aside. ‘‘And just look at this 
dear little baby one. There is one that is bright 
red. It looks like a strawberry. See, is it not 
beautiful? " 

Jack reached out and touched the big brown 
anemone with his Anger. Instantly it closed 
up and was nothing but a round bunch. 

“ Ah, you have frightened it," said his mother. 
“ It had its mouth open to catch its dinner, you 
see. Now it knows that there is danger near. 
It will not spread open for a long time. Like the 
birds. Ash and all animals, it has enemies every- 
where." 

“ It acts like an animal," said Kathryn. 
“ Isn't it funny ? Is it an animal ? It looks 
like a flower, too." 

“ Do you remember the pitcher plant that we 
found in Merryton ? " 

“Yes, yes," answered Jack and Kathryn. 
“ It caught flies and held them in its pitcher." 

“ Well, this is something like that. I mean, 


IN MAINE 


33 

it is like an animal and like a vegetable, too. 
It seems to be a sort of connecting link, doesn^t 
it? You never find them except below the 
water line. It is covered at high tide. Dear 
me, here is the tide coming to remind us of it I 
Sure enough, the tide had risen swiftly while 
their backs were turned. It had reached their 
feet. There was nothing to do but beat a re- 
treat. Climbing up over the rocks, they took a 
short cut home through the woods, and soon, to 
the children's surprise, came to the side piazza 
of Eaglets Nest.” 

They found Mr. Gay, watering pot in hand, 
bending over a rock that lay near the piazza. 
He stood up as they approached. 

This hollow rock will make a capital bird 
bath,” he said. I have just filled it with 
water. We will keep it full of fresh water all 
the time, and I think we shall see something 
interesting. The woods about the house are full 
of birds.” 

And they must have to go some distance for 
water,” said Mrs. Gay. “ They will enjoy this 
bath hugely, and so shall we, in a different way.” 


THE THREE GATS 


34 

wish I had thought to get some bird 
houses,” said Mr. Gay. ‘‘ If we ever come here 
again I shall get a couple in town and put them 
up on trees near the house so the birds will 
build in them.” 

** We might send for one,” suggested Mrs. 
Gay. 

‘‘ Couldn't we make one. Papa ? ” asked 
Roger. ‘‘I saw a small, hollow stump, with 
the bark on it, on the wood-pile this morning. 
Why wouldn't that do? Wait a minute. I 
will get it.” 

“ Aha ! ” exclaimed Mr. Gay, examining the 
stump which Roger brought. I believe we 
can make a bird house of that. It needs a 
roof and a little platform. There is a knot- 
hole already there which we will make bigger. 
Capital ! ” 

Mr. Gay tucked the stump under his arm and 
strode off in the direction of the studio-work- 
shop, followed by the children. 

There comes Roger ! ” suddenly exclaimed 
Jack. ** I wonder where he has been all this 
time.” 


IN MAINE 


35 


He looks excited/’ said Kathryn. 

Let’s go and meet him,” said Mr. Gay, put- 
ting down the stump. 

So they all walked slowly to meet Roger. 


CHAPTER V 


ROGER HAS A FRIGHT 

Roger had all the rest of the morning to do as 
he pleased. He had made up his mind to do 
things to-day. He decided to make a tour of 
investigation. Perhaps he might make a dis- 
covery for his collection. He started down the 
path, crossed the meadow, covered now with 
daisies and buttercups, with delicious wild straw- 
berries hiding in the tall grass. Roger walked 
slowly, with many pauses for refreshment. At 
the end of the meadow he could see some bars 
and beyond them, thick woods. 

Roger climbed the bars and found himself in 
a lovely forest. The path stretched forward 
over soft moss, past lichen-covered rocks, under 
fragrant hemlock and spruce branches. Birds 
sang in the trees overhead ; wonderful many- 
colored mushrooms grew about. There were 
solid masses of delicate twin flower. A hermit 
thrush kept Roger motionless for a long time. 

36 


IN MAINE 


37 

Soon the path opened on a great sea of ferns 
that swayed to and fro gently in the wind. 
They were fragrant, too. Roger laughed as he 
walked along the tiny path right through the 
middle of this green sea. Then woods again, 
and the sound of the sea toward the right. He 
could see a glint of blue in that direction. But 
he kept on. He must find where the path led. 

Soon an odd sound struck his ears ; Roger 
could not make out what it was. It sounded 
like a sharp cluck or call. It grew nearer and 
louder as Roger advanced. Before long he 
stepped into the open. The light dazzled him 
for a moment. Then he took a step forward and 
stopped short in amazement. 

On the top of a dead tree, not twenty feet from 
where he stood, was a huge mass of sticks several 
feet across. It was a nest ! 

At the moment that Roger spied the nest, two 
immense birds flew up from it with a great 
whirring of wings, filling the air with deafening 
cries. He had heard the voices of these birds 
back in the woods, but how different they had 
been ! Before the birds were talking to their 


THE THREE GATS 


38 

young, or to each other with voices cooing and 
soft in expression, in spite of their hoarseness. 
Now there were anger, fright and menace in the 
tone. Roger stood breathless and watched the 
two immense creatures as they circled high in 
the air, screaming constantly. Then he looked 
at the nest. 

“ Well,^^ he thought, “ that’s the biggest nest 
I ever saw. What can they be? Eagles, of 
course. Nothing else so big. I’d like to see 
what’s in that nest. Young birds, of course. 
The old birds would tear me to pieces if I went 
near it. Poor things I I’ll walk by quickly, so 
as to show them that they needn’t be scared.” 

In order to walk by the nest, it was necessary 
to approach nearer to it. There was no other 
way. Roger hesitated and then hurried forward. 

But at this the birds redoubled their cries and 
descended with terrible rapidity in narrowing 
circles. As Roger neared the tree one of the 
birds swooped directly at him with a scream that 
sent his heart down into his boots.” Roger 
ducked his head and turned back toward the 
woods as the second bird swooped at him and 


IN MAINE 


39 

then turned and flew round his head. Roger, 
bending low, and uttering a shriek of terror 
almost as loud as that of his pursuers, plunged 
into the woods, where, instinct told him, the 
branches of the trees would protect him. But 
he was so terrifled that he continued to run as 
fast as his legs could carry him, hearing all the 
time the same horrible hoarse cries above him. 
He knocked his head against tree branches ; he 
scratched his hands on briars; at last his foot 
caught on a root and he fell headlong into the 
sea of ferns. There he lay still and listened ; 
then he drew a cry of relief. The cries had 
ceased at last I 

Mama said I might have adventures in learn- 
ing about birds and things,’^ thought Roger, 
with a rueful laugh. I seem to have begun, all 
right. I fancy I had rather a narrow escape. 
Well, they^re gone now. I think I'll turn off to 
the right where I saw some blue through the 
trees. I can hear the sea, too." 

Roger picked himself up from his fragrant bed 
of ferns and went toward the opening among the 
trees. Sure enough, it led to a mossy slope over- 


THE THREE GATS 


40 

hanging a gulch. The tide was pounding and 
roaring into this gulch ; now drawing back like 
a wild animal about to spring, then flinging it- 
self fiercely upon the land, as though to tear it 
to pieces, which was exactly what it was doing, 
a little at a time. It was fascinating to watch 
the waves. Roger stooped and was peering down 
at the water, when all of a sudden he noticed a 
black shadow on the rock in front of him. It 
grew quickly larger. Roger turned dizzy as he 
heard at the same moment that terrible, familiar 
cry, and realized that the birds were above him I 

There was not a moment to lose. A leap and 
a plunge backward brought the terrified boy 
under the branches of a hemlock tree that stood 
by the clifF^s edge. Rolling over and over he 
reached other protecting branches. He was safe 
in the woods once more. The birds had fol- 
lowed him for half a mile. Would he ever dare 
to leave the woods ? 

Roger fled back to the bars, his heart beating 
like a sledge hammer. Skirting the meadow 
cautiously under bushes and trees, he found him- 
self before long in sight of the house. There 


IN MAINE 


41 

were his father and mother walking down the 
path with Kathryn and Jack near by. Far up 
in the sky Roger could see two black specks 
floating about ; now and then he was sure that 
he could hear a faint, a very faint, cry. 

They were eagles, weren't they. Papa?'' 
asked Roger, when he had flnished telling his 
exciting story. 

“ Eagles ? H'm. I hardly think so," was the 
reply. Eagles would build their nests in less 
accessible spots than the top of a tree so near the 
ground. Their nests are usually on mountain- 
sides. Still, it may be. It was a large brown 
bird, you say. Did you notice any particular 
spot or color about him ? 

** I noticed a very pretty pattern on the under 
side of his wings," replied Roger. A pattern in 
brown, on a whitish color, I think." 

Ah I " said his father. ** I thought so. It is 
an osprey. Osprey is another name for flsh-hawk, 
you know. This is a famous place for fish- 
hawks." 

You have made a good beginning, Roger," 
said his mother. You will have an excellent 


THE THREE GATS 


42 

opportunity to study ospreys here on the island. 
They are to me the most interesting of birds. I 
love to watch them fly. They are wonderfully 
graceful. I have watched them by the hour 
together. They must have been terribly fright- 
ened when they saw you appear so suddenly 
near their nest. Do you blame them for chas- 
ing you away ? I don't.” 

‘‘ They have but one mate for life, I have 
heard,” said Mr. Gay. “ If its mate dies the 
bird lives alone for the rest of its life. And 
they live to be very old.” 

Noble, beautiful creatures,” said Mrs. Gay, 
“ I love them.” She murmured under her 
breath a verse of a poem : 

^ Creatures of desolation, far they fly 
Through distant lands bound by the curling foam. 
In misty fens, wild moors and trackless sky 
These wild things have their home.^ ” 


CHAPTER VI 

THE fish-hawk’s NEST 

It was a fine afternoon for a sail. The sail- 
boat, with Captain Qrumpus at the helm, skipped 
gaily over the waves, leaping and lurching like 
a living thing. Roger was receiving his first 
lesson in sailing a boat. The captain was ex- 
plaining the different parts of it, the names of 
the sails, and many other interesting things, 
which opened a new world to Roger. 

Charley Rover, a strapping big fellow of about 
sixteen, with a keen, hawk-like face, brown and 
weather-beaten, was showing Jack around the 
boat. His little, bristly-haired yellow dog fol- 
lowed him wherever he went. He was greatly 
amused at Jack’s questions, and burst into fre- 
quent peals of laughter. Jack was not satisfied 
until he had examined the boat from one end 
to the other. Everything was as neat as wax. 
One could “ eat off the floor,” as the saying 
43 


THE THREE GATS 


44 

goes. Every coil of rope and other article that 
might be needed was in just the right spot, 
ready for immediate use. Jack was particularly 
delighted with the tiny cabin with its single bunk 
where one could pass a very comfortable night. 

It’s the best boat of its size hereabouts,” said 
Charley, an’ that’s sayin’ somethin’, too. I 
can sail it just as well as Uncle can. One man 
can manage it alone all right, but it’s easier 
with two aboard. We’ll take yer deep sea 
fishin’ some time if you’re good sailors.” 

I mean to have a yacht of my own some 
day,” said Roger. *^Just like this one, only 
smaller, perhaps. And I want to learn all about 
sailing ; all there is to know.” 

“ Thet’s the only way,” growled the captain. 

Own yer own yacht ’n’ know it from end ter 
end. Them dandies thet hev fancy yachts an’ 
let somebody else sail ’em fer ’em. Pshaw I ” 
The captain puffed vigorously in disgust. 

That is just what Bijah used to say about a 
horse,” thought Roger. 

I suppose you know the Maine coast pretty 
well. Captain Grumpus,” said Mrs. Gay. 


IN MAINE 


45 

Huh, yes,^' he answered. “ Why, I know 
every inch the coast from Cape Cod ter New- 
foundlan’. An’ there ain’t a rock nor a reef 
roun’ this island thet I ain’t be’n over — or on. 
Be’n sailin’ a boat ever sence I was a little chap 
no bigger’n this ’ere. So kin Charley here. ’N’ 
I tell you,” he added impressively, there’s 
some mighty skittish places right nigh here ! 
YeSp sir-ee I ” 

“ You bet there are I ” corroborated Charley. 

Oh, where are they ? ” asked the children. 

Captain Grumpus pointed a strong, stubby 
finger out in the direction of a near-by island. 
A long, irregular reef extended for quite a dis- 
tance between the boat and the island. 

** D’ye see thet reef?” he asked. “ Wall, it’s 
low tide now, an’ it sticks ’way out o’ the water 
three or four feet. An’ at high tide it’s all cov- 
ered up by the water. Ye kin sail right over 
it then, without the keel cornin’ nigh it, it’s so 

deep down then. See ? But at half tide ” 

The captain stopped and wagged his head im- 
pressively. Then he began again in a solemn 
voice, “At half tide, as I was a-sayin’, them 


THE THREE GATS 


46 

rocks is jest below the surface o^ the water I Ef 
a greenhorn tries ter go over ’em — hump he goes 
right on ’em ! There goes a hole in the boat; 
it fills with water, an’ down he goes ten fathoms, 
sir ! See ? So keep clear o’ them rocks, even 
in a dory, unless tide’s high. Don’t take no 
resks ! ” 

Yes, yes ! ‘ The Ledges.’ I remember them,” 
cried Mr. Gay. Do not forget that, children.” 

They’ve got a new name now,” remarked 
the captain drily. We calls ’em ‘ Smart’s 
Ledges ’ now. Ye see, there was a rich city fel- 
ler come down here. Tuk the green cottage in 
the village. Used ter be ole Jabez Farmer’s 
place. Wall, he hed it painted up green with 
pink trimmin’s. You know the place, don’t 
ye? Looks mighty fine, some folks think. 
But ye couldn’t git me ter sleep in sech a 
lookin’ house I Not ef I was a yaller dog I ” 

The captain gave the tiller a jerk that sent a 
shower of spray over the bow. 

** You are right. I would not sleep there 
either,” agreed Mr. Gay. ** But how about the 
ledges, Cap’n ? ” 


IN MAINE 


47 

“ Wall, as I was a-sayinV^ resumed the story- 
teller, this ^ere Charley Smart hed a yacht, an^ 
he thought he knew all about sailin'. An' 
blamed ef he didn't git on every rock in the 
harbor. The city folks hed a great joke. 
They'd promote him up fer every rock he'd git 
on. Fust he was bo's'n, then cap'n, then com- 
modore. Wall, as I was a-sayin'. Commodore 
Smart sailed over them ledges last summer. 
Tide was sorter half 'n' half. Wall, — got nearly 
over — all of a sudden, hump went the boat, but 
didn't hit very hard an' on they went, thinkin' 
they was all right. Now Charley Smart's 
darter Effie hed be’n a-settin' on the stern o' the 
boat with her mandolin a-playin' chunes as they 
sailed along. Wall, the commodore looks back, 
and wot do ye think he sees ? There sets Effie 
on top o' the water, mandolin an' all — playin', 
too, fer aught I know — but lookin' quite sur- 
prised ! She'd jounced off on ter the rock when 
they bumped on it, an' there she set 1 Don't 
know which was most surprised, she or her 
dad." 

As they passed beyond the rocky point, there, 


THE THREE GATS 


48 

on a high slope, just on the edge of the woods 
they saw a dead tree. On top of the tree was 
what looked like a mass of sticks. Roger 
pointed to it excitedly. 

There it is ! ” he cried. I thought it was 
an eaglets nest, Captain Grumpus, but Papa says 
they are only fish-hawks. They looked big 
enough to be eagles. There they are now.'^ 
And Roger told the story of his morning^s ad- 
venture. The captain^s steady eyes were fixed 
on the mass of rocks ahead of them. He 
nodded his head and grunted. 

Fish-hawks,’’ he growled. Thet’s what 
we calls ’em. You ask Charley. He knows 
about ’em. He resked his life ter save a young 
un’s life three year ago. Climbed down Bald 
Head Rock ter git it. Steep an’ straight as a 
wall ; bird was in a crevice o’ rock with wing 
broken. But he got it an’ took keer o’ it till it 
was well.” 

“Oh, did you, Charley? How brave! Tell 
us about it I ” cried the children. 

“ Why, ’tain’t nothin’ ter tell,” cried Charley, 
blushing modestly under his coat of tan. 


IN MAINE 


49 

‘‘ Anybody ’d done it. He tore me pretty 
bad, though. Tried ter fight me off. Thought I 
was goin^ ter kill him. I hed ter hold him 
tight an' climb up the rock. Thet's all." 

And did you tame him ? " asked Roger 
eagerly. 

“Tame him? Tame a fish-hawk? Wall, I 
guess not," answered Charley. “ Why, he was 
jest as wild when I let him go, when his wing 
was well, as he was when I got him. Nobody 
darst ter come nigh him. He grew big an' 
strong an' of course we let him go as soon as he 
could use his wing an’ leg." 

“ I wish I could see one near," said Roger. 
“ If I could only see them without their seeing 
me.” 

“ Say, Uncle I " cried Charley, “ what do yer 
say ter my takin' the little chap ter see the nest 
on Round Stone? Why can’t I now?" 

“ Ye kin,” grunted the captain. “ But look 
sharp, mind. We’ll cast anchor here an' ye can 
investigate it ef ye want ter." 

“But is it safe, Cap'n?" inquired Mr. Gay. 
“ Ospreys are pretty fierce, according to your 


THE THREE GATS 


50 

nephew Charley^s account. And Roger found 
them so this morning.’^ 

' “And — of course you would not harm the 
young ones or take the eggs ? ” inquired Mrs. 
Gay. 

“Harm the young uns? Hurt the eggs? 
No, ma^am ! roared the captain. 

“ Oh, of course I knew you would not,” 
hastily apologized Mrs. Gay. 

“ I won't hurt 'em,” laughed Charley, as he 
jumped into the dory and took up the oars. 
“You want ter go too, Mr. Gay? All right. 
We'll have to hold on to our hats. Don't be 
skeered. I'll keep a sharp lookout an' see thet 
they don't hurt ye. Hi ! See the old birds I 
Some birds is more fierce 'n others, ye know, 
like folks.” 

In a few minutes they were climbing carefully 
on to the slippery seaweed and making their 
way up the rocks toward the nest. It seemed 
risky. The old birds flew round and round 
their heads, shrieking angrily, poor things. 
Their babies were in the nest. But they did 
not offer to touch Mr. Gay and Roger. Perhaps 


IN MAINE 


SI 

it was because Charley waved his arms and kept 
a sharp lookout. Or they may not have been 
as fierce as Roger’s acquaintances of the morn- 
ing. At last Roger stood on top of the rock and, 
leaning forward, was able actually to look into 
the nest. There lay two large birds, as big as 
turkeys, Roger thought. They were apparently 
dead. Not a feather moved. 

“ Why, they are dead ! ” exclaimed Roger, 
drawing back. 

'' Dead ? Not a bit of it,” said Charley, 
waving his arms wildly as one of the old birds 
swooped down perilously near Roger’s head. 

They’re ‘ playin’ ’possum,’ thet’s all ; think we 
won’t touch ’em if they play dead. That’s a 
game all animals an’ birds knows how ter play ; 
even young uns like these. I’ll give ’em a 
poke.” 

But don’t hurt them I ” cried Roger quickly. 

A few insinuating pokes with a stick made the 
birds realize that “ playing ’possum ” was of no 
use. With a great scrambling, scratching, and 
fluttering of wings, they got to their feet and 
stood erect, the very embodiment of fierce help- 


THE THREE GATS 


52 

lessness, their wild, untamed spirit shining 
from their eyes. They looked as though they 
wished to tear these impertinent intruders to 
pieces. Who could blame them ? Was not this 
their home, built on a rock in the water, inacces- 
sible, or almost so ? 

Another poke of the stick, and the birds 
spread their mighty wings. But though grown 
to full size they had not yet learned to fly. 
Roger held his breath. To be so near creatures 
like these. He had never dreamed of such a 
thing. 

“ Now 1^11 keep him quiet, an^ you reach out 
and stroke him,’^ said Roger^s friend, suiting the 
action to the words. Roger hesitated. 

“ V\\ see thet he donT touch ye. Now I 
Smooth his feathers ! DonT be scared, re- 
peated Charley. Roger did as he was bidden, 
and stroked the beautiful feathers. The flerce 
eyes grew fiercer, and a look came into them 
that Roger never forgot ; a look of insulted 
dignity, of reproach. It was dreadful to see. 
The bird drew back, trembling ; this immense 
creature that could have rent the boy with a 


IN MAINE 


53 

stroke of his powerful beak. Above their heads 
the old birds shrieked and cried wildly. 

The three intruders left the nest and climbed 
down the slippery rocks. Roger dropped si- 
lently into the boat. Charley went to the oars. 
Mr. Gay wound the film of his camera. 

I have some capital pictures of the birds/* 
he said. I took half a dozen snaps. Some of 
them must be good.** 


CHAPTER VII 


MRS. ROVER 

Mrs. Rover had washed and put away the 
breakfast dishes, tidied up ” the kitchen and 
dining-room, and fried some delicious dough- 
nuts. Then, her work at the Gay cottage fin- 
ished until five o^clock, when she was to re- 
turn to get dinner, she threw a shawl over 
her shoulders and started down the path toward 
her own doll house,*' as Kathryn called it. 

The Gays usually had their lunch on the 
piazza, served on a rustic table made of wood 
with the bark left on. It was always a very 
simple lunch, but how good it tasted out-of- 
doors in the fresh air I Of course they often 
took lunch on the rocks, or wherever their 
excursions found them at lunch time ; on the 
one or two really warm days of the summer 
they had it under the big hemlock tree on the 
sloping meadow in front of the house where 
64 


IN MAINE 


55 

there was always a breeze. The children made 
their own beds and kept the rooms in order. 
There was no dusting to do because there was 
no dust ; so housekeeping in the Delectable 
Isle was really very simple and easy. 

We are going your way, Mrs. Rover, called 
the children. “ We will walk along with you 
as far as your house if you would like to have 
us.” 

“ Come in a minute, wonT you ? ” said Mrs. 
Rover, pausing at the front door to train up a 
vine that had grown too fast. Do come in. 
I donT have visitors very often nowadays. You 
haven't seen the inside of my house yet.” 

She opened the door and led the way into the 
cunningest little parlor you ever saw. It was 
so small that it looked just big enough for a doll 
to live in. It was cozy and pretty, with a bright 
colored rug on the floor, a table with a photo- 
graph album, a Bible, and several large books 
on it. There were comfortable rocking-chairs 
standing about and there were muslin curtains 
at the windows. 

This is a picture of my husband, who was 


THE THREE GATS 


56 

drowned at sea years ago/^ said Mrs. Rover, 
showing the children a picture of a splendid, 
stalwart young fellow. ''Charley was a baby 
then. He looks like his father, folks say.^' 

" Why, he looks exactly like him, Mrs. Rover, 
doesn’t he?” said Kathryn. 

" Except that he hasn’t any beard,” added 
Jack. " He’s most as handsome, though.” 

" I am glad you think so,” said Mrs. Rover, 
much pleased. " Mr. Rover — he was a captain, 
you know. Captain Billy Rover, they called 
him ; well, he stood six foot two in his stock- 
ings. Charley’s ’most six feet. Here’s Charley’s 
picture when he was a baby. Full o’ mischief 
even then. He’s a little reckless and hasty, but 
he’s a good-hearted fellow ; he’s always been 
good to his mother, my Charley.” 

" Does Captain Qrumpus live here, too ? ” 
asked Jack. 

"Brother Garry? Oh, yes; but he’s hardly 
ever here, any mor’n Charley is ; they’re most 
of the time in their fish houses, or on the water; 
I don’t see much of ’em nowadays. See these 
things ? They’re swordfishes’ swords. Aren’t 


IN MAINE 


57 

they long and sharp? Go right through the 
side of a boat and rip it up in no time. Ever 
eat swordfish ? It’s very nice. See this big 
piece of coral. Isn’t it beautiful? My son 
brought that home from one o’ his voyages. 
My, he’s got all kinds o’ curiosities ! You ask 
him to show ’em to you some time. An’ Cap’n 
Garry, too. His fish house is just stuffed with 
all sorts o’ things. Now I’ll show you the 
kitchen.” 

Mrs. Rover led the way into a much larger 
room which was evidently used as kitchen, 
dining and living room. It was neat as wax. 
A shining range stood on one side. Two large, 
black cats rose from two chairs as they entered ; 
stretched themselves, gazed at the children in- 
quiringly with their inscrutable yellow eyes ; 
then each leaped to the floor and they walked 
forward, side by side, waving their tails rhyth- 
mically. 

** Ah, One Cat I Hello, Two Cat ! Come to 
welcome the visitors, eh ? That’s right. Come 
and shake hands.” Which they did, quite will- 
ingly. 


58 THE THREE GATS 

** What are their names, Mrs. Rover asked 
Kathryn. 

“ Why, this one with the white tip on his tail 
we call One Cat,^’ replied Mrs. Rover. 

One Cat ! Why, what a funny ” began 

Jack, then stopped politely, fearing to hurt his 
hostess's feelings. 

Do you mean that that is its name ? One 
Cat!'^ asked Roger incredulously. 

“ Yes, that is his name," replied Mrs. Rover. 

We couldn't seem to think of anything else to 
call him ; got tired o' common names." 

‘‘ And what is the other cat's name ? " inquired 
Kathryn, stroking its silky fur. 

Why, his name is Two Cat. One Cat and 
Two Cat," answered Mrs. Rover in a matter-of- 
fact tone. 

“ Well, if I couldn't think of a better name to 
call a nice kitty like you, I would give up I " 
whispered Jack as he hugged the two poor cats 
who had to endure names that were no names 
at all. 

“These are my fish nets," went on Mrs. 
Rover, going over to a corner and showing th^ ^ 


IN MAINE 


59 

children some beautifully made nets. A stand, 
nearly as high as Jack’s head, held various 
sizes of wooden needles, over which twine was 
wound. 

Oh, show us how you make nets, please I ” 
exclaimed Kathryn. “ Is it very hard to do ? ” 
“ No indeed. It is very easy when you once 
learn,” said Mrs. Rover, sitting down in the 
chair and taking up the needle. The half- 
completed net hung from one corner of the 
stand. With a deft motion of the hand, the 
fisherman’s wife threw the cord over, drew it 
tight over the mash board,” as she called it ; 
knotted it firmly ; then over again, back, knot, 
quick as a wink, making the mesh of the net. 

What do you have so many different sizes 
of needles for ? ” asked Jack, looking curiously 
at the odd shaped things. 

Those are for the different sizes of net,” an- 
swered Mrs. Rover. Brother Garry whittled 
’em for me. See, this coarse twine is called 
' seine twine ’ ; that is for the big, strong nets. 
People make hammocks of that size. I’ll show 
you how to make one some time, but it is hard 


6o 


THE THREE GATS 


on your hands till you get used to it. This fine 
twine is called 'dip net twine.' There are 
several different sizes. These little ones make 
pretty butterfiy nets." 

“ I should like to learn how to make a ham- 
mock, Mrs. Rover," said Kathryn. 

" I will teach you," was the answer. " Come 
down some rainy day when you cannot stay out- 
of-doors. You will soon learn. But you had 
better wear an old pair of gloves to protect those 
soft little hands, dear." 

Roger stood looking at the model of a full 
rigged ship, about three feet long, that was fast- 
ened to the wall. 

“ That ship is a beauty," said Roger. " My ! 
Everything is there, anchor, ropes and all. And 
there is the name painted on it, just as they have 
it on big boats, ‘ Hannah Bearing.' " 

" Brother Garry made that boat years ago, 
when he was only a lad," said Mrs. Rover, 
standing beside the children and looking at the 
boat. " It is a beauty, isn't it ? It took him 
months and months to make it. Every bit of 
it is finished and made just as careful as if it 


IN MAINE 


6i 


was a-goin' to sea. Not a thing left out that 
would go in a fishin’ vessel. It was a model of 
the one he hoped to be captain of some day. I 
remember how proud he was of it. But the 
girl he made it for died just about the time he 
finished it.'^ 

“Was her name Hannah Bearing?’^ asked 
Kathryn softly. 

“ Yes ; she was Hannah Bearing ; as sweet a 
girl as ever drew breath. My brother never got 
over it, though he never said a word. Jest shut 
his lips together and hung the boat up there on 
the wall ; it^s never been took down. An^ he 
seemed to lose his ambition after that. Never 
cared to be captain of a vessel. He would have 
been, though, if she'd lived." 

“ Poor Cap'n Garry ! " said Roger. 

“ Poor Cap'n Garry ! " said Kathryn and Jack. 

They stood silent, looking at the boat. 

“ He's lonesome sometimes, I know," went on 
Mrs. Rover. “ He's gruff an' crusty, but you 
mustn't mind that. He likes young folks, an' 
has taken a shine to you-all. Ask him to show 
you the fiddle he carved with his jack-knife. 


62 


THE THREE GATS 


He can play on it, too. He'll show it if he's in 
the mood. If he isn't — well, I guess you'll know 
it if he isn't. He'd like to be cheered up some- 
times." 

Let's go and find him now," said Roger. 

The three children bade good-bye to their 
hostess at the end of the tiny plank walk that 
led to the side door. A lovely fiower garden 
stretched beside it, full of old-fashioned blossoms. 
Nasturtiums twined and shone over the low 
wicket fence. 

“ Help yourselves to all the flowers you want, 
any time," said Mrs. Rover. “Just come right 
in an' take all you want without askin'. It does 
'em good to pick 'em, you know." 

The fisherman's widow made a very quaint 
picture as she waved good-bye to them, stand- 
ing by the masses of brilliant flowers in her neat 
gray dress and white apron. 


CHAPTER VIII 


THE FOG COMES IN 

Captain Grumpus was not in his fish house. 
But near by on the beach the children found 
him cleaning fish. He had on his rubber apron 
and was standing before a sort of wooden table 
with a rim around the top, busily at work. A 
basket of fish, and various kegs and barrels 
stood near. He did not turn when the children 
approached, but kept on with his work. 

Good-morning, Captain,” said Roger. 

Mornin',” answered the surly captain. 

Are you busy, Cap'n ? ” inquired Jack. 

Yep,” was the answer. Don't I look it ? ” 

** You are cleaning fish, aren't you ? ” said 
Kathryn. 

Yep. Cleanin' fish,” was the answer. 

** What a lot you have got 1 ” said Jack. 

You are not going to eat it all yourself, are 
you ? ” 

63 


I 


THE THREE GATS 


64 

Some I dries, some I eats, some I pickles, 
an’ some I takes to cannin’ factory,” replied the 
captain. 

“ I’d like to go fishing with you some time, 
Cap’n,” said Roger. ‘*You said I might, you 
know.” 

‘‘ How’d ye all like ter go squiddin’ some 
evenin’ ? ” inquired the captain suddenly. 

Ever see a squid ? ” 

Why, no. I never saw one, but we read 
about one last winter,” answered Roger. Papa 
read ' Toilers of the Sea ’ aloud. That told about 
a squid. It is the same as a cuttlefish, isn’t it ? ” 

Kathryn and Jack shuddered. They thought 
of the monster which had caught the bather 
Gileat in its terrible grasp, and had wound its 
long feelers about him and begun to draw his 
life out Oh, it was too awful ! 

I did not know squids grew around here,” 
said Kathryn, faintly. 

“ Are there many of them ? ” asked Jack. 

Many? Why, the water’s full of ’em ! ” re- 
plied their friend, turning to stare at them. 

Don’t ye want ter go squiddin' ? ” 


IN MAINE 


6S 

The children stood speechless. So these dread- 
ful creatures lived in the waters around the 
Delectable Isle I They had intended to go 
in bathing that afternoon. Kathryn thought 
of the pink grotto where she had sat when the 
tide came in. Perhaps it was the abode of one 
of these creatures. None of the children would 
ever dare to climb about among the rocks again 
at low tide. They shuddered to think of it. 

« We go squiddin’ at night/’ went on the un- 
suspecting captain. Hev ter take lamps ter 
see by an’ ter attract ’em. Then we ketches ’em 
an’ brings ’em home. It’s kinder fun.” 

This was worse still ! To go out at night to 
catch these creatures ! The children remem- 
bered seeing a picture of a giant cuttlefish in 
the act of crushing a boat, fisherman and all, 
in its horrible, slimy grasp. Its eyes, in the 
picture, were nearly as big as the man’s head. 

Captain Grumpus turned again and stared at 
the children. 

? Wall, I gum it!” he declared. ‘‘Don’t ye 
want ter go ? Not scared ter go at night, 
be ye?” 


66 


THE THREE GATS 


“ But aren’t they very fierce ? ” asked Kathryn 
timidly at last. 

“ Fierce ? ” inquired the captain. Fierce I ” 
he repeated incredulously. 

‘‘ We thought they were dangerous,” said Jack. 

** Dangerous I ” shouted the captain. Dan- 
gerous I Squids dangerous I ” 

The captain threw back his head and shouted 
with laughter. Roger winced. He did not 
want to be thought a coward. But a cuttle- 
fish seemed about the most terrible creature that 
he had ever heard of. No, he would not go 
fishing for cuttlefish I 

Wall, I thought ye had more sand than ter 
be scared ter go squiddin’ I ” laughed the cap- 
tain, scornfully. Why, how big did ye think 
they was, hey ? ” 

The one in the picture was bigger than a 
man,” said Roger. 

“ And it had long arms, six or seven of them, 
as long as a man,” said Jack. 

'' And its eyes were as big 'as the man’s head,” 
added Kathryn. 

‘‘It crushed the boat to pieces like an egg- 


IN MAINE 67 

shell/^ said Roger. How big are the biggest 
ones you have seen, Cap’n? 

The children held their breaths and waited. 
Captain Grampus smiled. 

“ About ten inches long ! he answered. 

After the children had recovered from their 
surprise at this announcement, they were eager 
to go squidding with the captain. 

How soon can we go ? asked Roger. 

“ CanT we go this evening? asked Jack. 
Captain Grampus pointed out over the water. 
A dark shadow spread over the horizon line, 
shutting out the Camden Hills completely. 

Do ye see thet ? inquired the captain. 
“ Thetis a fog bank. An^ it's a-comin' up fast. 
Fogs come up fast hereabouts. It's these 'ere 
fogs thet fishermen hates worse'n storms. Shet 
out everythin' in two minutes ! an' ye can't see 
a foot in front o' yer nose. Watch it come." 

The fog bank was spreading with incredible 
rapidity. Already it had covered half the sky. 
The nearest point of rocks was blotted out. The 
sun suddenly disappeared. The children felt a 
cool dampness on their faces. 


68 


THE THREE GATS 


Time fer you kids ter cut fer home/^ said 
Captain Grumpus. In five minutes the fog’ll 
be so thick ye can cut it with a knife, an’ ye 
can’t see a yard from the house. Run, now, or 
ye’ll git lost I So long I ” 

The children did not need to be urged to 
follow this advice. They had hardly left the 
beach when the fish house, the captain and the 
beach itself had disappeared. Mrs. Rover’s tiny 
house seemed unreal. They raced along the 
grassy path and up to the house, chased by the 
soft whiteness that swept along beside them and 
settled down chokingly. No wonder the fisher- 
men dreaded the fog I 

The captain was right. In five minutes they 
could not see a yard beyond the piazza ! 

Squidding turned out to be a very different 
kind of sport from what the children’s imagina- 
tions had at first conjured up. They found that 
Maine squids are reproductions in miniature 
of the South Sea cuttlefish, small, soft-bodied 
creatures, with long arms that were constantly 
moving. 

After it was all over, and they had tumbled 



“run now, or ye’ll get lost 




. kif 


IN MAINE 


69 

into bed, tired and sleepy after the unusual ex- 
citement of going out '' after dark,” they found 
that they had a rather confused remembrance of 
creaking oars, black darkness. Captain Grum- 
pus’s hoarse whispers coming out of the dusk ; 
of the light of a lantern shining close to the 
water ; of the light shining on the captain’s arm 
as he drew up the net full of squids that were to 
be used for bait ; of creaking oars again ; and 
finally of standing in the captain’s fish house 
watching the small things wriggling in a basin 
of water. The captain showed them a few of 
the funny little creatures at a time ; how unlike 
to the horrible, fierce monsters of warmer waters ! 
It was wonderful to see them change color every 
moment. Their chief protection seemed to be 
the black ink which they discharged at the ap- 
proach of an enemy. It was very curious to the 
children to see the water around them become 
suddenly black, thus hiding them completely 
from sight. 

“ Talk o’ bein’ invisible ! ” remarked the cap- 
tain. “ Thet’s mighty nigh it, I take it. No- 
body ain’t got eyes sharp ’nough to see them 


THE THREE GHTS 


70 

critturs in thet ink. It’s real ink, too, ye know. 
Folks down here mixes it with water or some- 
thin’ an’ they uses it all the time. Good’s any 
ink.” 

After that the children went stumbling home 
by the light of their father’s lantern, which 
swung to and fro weirdly. There were fireflies 
darting around them. They felt like fireflies 
themselves, lighting up the blackness of the night 
with their waving lantern. 

Then to bed, where Kathryn dreamed that she 
was pursued by a giant cuttlefish which drew 
near, reached out and threw a net over her head. 
But Kathryn called upon the fairies who turned 
her into a firefly, so she escaped through the 
meshes of the net ! 


CHAPTER IX 


NEW AREIVALS 

Little Ann Farthingale arrived a week later 
at the island. Her aunt had found it impossi- 
ble to come, for did not every sick person in 
Merryton depend on her ? And was she not the 
mainstay of every one in trouble or needing help 
or advice on any subject? But Miss Farthin- 
gale was more pleased to have Ann go than to 
go herself. 

It was a fortunate thing that the Jamison boys 
and their father had been visiting in Merryton, 
and were going to the island themselves for the 
summer. Mrs. Jamison and Baby Clare were 
already there. So Mr. Jamison and the boys es- 
corted Ann on the long journey to the island, 
which she would never have been able to take 
alone. 

It was Ann’s first trip away from home alone. 
She had never been but a few miles from Merry- 
71 


THE THREE GATS 


72 

ton in her life. She had never seen the sea, of 
course. The Jamison boys declared afterward 
that it had been “ as good as a circus ” to watch 
her. Her big brown eyes had grown bigger and 
bigger with taking in so many interesting sights. 
The trip on the water had been a wonderful ex- 
perience. By the time she reached the “ Delec- 
table Isle little Ann looked for all the world 
like a tiny exclamation point. But she was so 
tired and sleepy that she was put straight to bed 
in the little bed next to Kathryn^s in the pink 
and white bedroom that looked out over the 
water. 

As soon as breakfast was over the next morn- 
ing Herbert and Ralph came over ; and what a 
commotion and excitement there was then ! The 
children had not seen one another for a whole 
year, and many exciting things had happened 
during that time that had to be talked over. 

“ Let^s take Ann down and show her the 
beach. She hasnT seen a beach before,^^ said 
Roger. 

So they all raced down to the beach. The 
tide was coming in. Great rollers came racing 


IN MAINE 


73 

up over the smooth sand like wild horses with fly- 
ing white manes ; flung themselves upon the sand 
with a roar ; then retreated noiselessly and came 
on again for a fresh attack, higher than before. 

Ann gasped and stood still. This was the 
strangest thing that she had yet seen. Then 
she went wild and tore up and down the sand ; 
chased the waves and then ran screaming from 
them ; she stooped and felt of the hard, moist 
sand that was so different from anything that 
she had seen before. The other children laughed 
to see her. 

** I told you it would be a circus to watch 
her,'^ said Herbert. 

Then they all went in wading and frolicked 
and played in the sand. Herbert and Roger dug 
wonderful, deep wells in the sand and Ann was 
astonished to see the water come pouring into 
them from below. Herbert made a fort with a 
moat around it and a drawbridge. Then he 
dug a long canal that led down toward the 
water. How Ann laughed with delight to see 
the water run up and come pouring into the 
canal, then into the moat and round the castle. 


THE THREE GATS 


74 

After a while they all went back to the house 
where they found Mr. and Mrs. Jamison and 
Baby Clare on the piazza. Baby Clare was the 
little sister that the boys had so longed for. She 
was the chubbiest, rosiest, dearest little girl that 
the children had ever seen. Every one wanted 
to hold her at the same time. She was in great 
danger of being spoiled by her two big brothers. 
But the attention she received did not seem to 
trouble her at all. She smiled upon them all 
quite impartially, and behaved much like a tiny 
queen among her subjects. 

Then Mr. Jamison come strolling up with the 
bird boxes under his arm. He and the boys 
had found it quite easy to make them, and they 
were very proud of their success. Roger brought 
a ladder, and the entire party went out to select 
the places to put them. After much discussion, 
the big hemlock in front of Roger’s window was 
selected as a proper place for one box, and a tree 
back of the house, in sight of the piazza, for the 
other. Mr. Gay climbed the ladder and hung 
them securely to the tree. 

‘^We ought to have a ‘ To Let’ sign to show 
A 


IN MAINE 


7S 

the birds that the houses are ready to be oc- 
cupied/^ said Herbert. 

'' Of course ! agreed Mr. Gay from the top of 
the ladder. 

So Herbert and Roger wrote out a sign and 
Mr. Gay fastened it to the tree underneath the 
box. It read : 

To Let — For the Summer 

** Real estate will be at a premium now, I 
expect,*^ said Mr. Gay as he descended the ladder. 

And nest-making, I am afraid, will become a 
lost art.'^ After that they all had lunch on the 
piazza. 

“ Let's rig up a series of signals," said Herbert. 

The kind they have on big vessels, you know. 
They have flags, and each color means some- 
thing. Let's make out a ‘ code table ' and then 
we can talk to each other that way. It would 
be easier than to rig a telephone." 

“ We can have the upper piazza of our houses 
for the signal stations," cried Roger. ^‘Come 
on, let's hunt up flags." 

A curious assortment of garments was gathered 


THE THREE GATS 


76 

together from the two houses and thrown in a 
heap ready to be selected to serve as flags. 

I can^t And any pink to match your pink 
'calico except this silk sweater of Mama^s/’ said 
Roger, emerging from his mother’s closet with 
her new silk sweater on his arm. ‘‘I guess it 
will do, though.” 

That will do,” said Herbert wisely. Your 
mother won’t mind your taking it. She won’t 
wear silk sweaters much down here. They’re 
too ^ dressed up.’ Besides, we shan’t use pink 
much, anyhow. Pink stands for ‘ Sunday ’ ; we 
don’t often do things on Sunday.” 

“ We’ll have to take the baby’s blue sack if 
we can’t And any other blue,” said Ralph. 

There was a blue silk dress of Mother’s, but 
that had white spots on it ; it was too long for a 
flag, besides. And Father’s blue shirt had white 
stripes. We couldn’t spare our sailor suits, and 
the blue serge suits and jackets are too dark.” 

‘^The blue sack will have to do,” declared 
Herbert, flinging it down on the pile which in- 
cluded a pair of black trousers of Mr. Jamison, a 
black skirt of Mrs. Gay ; Kathryn’s red sweater ; 


IN MAINE 


77 

a crimson sash, green silk stockings belonging 
to Mr. Gay, a brown table-cloth, and scarfs, 
curtains, petticoats and other useful articles of 
different colors which disappeared mysteriously 
from the two houses and were not missed for 
some time. 

That very afternoon a pair of green pajamas 
(Mr. Gay^s special joy and pride) was seen wav- 
ing proudly from the Gay signal station. The 
Jamison boys knew, without consulting their 
code table, that green color stood for “ sail.’^ 
Soon after Roger and Jack, watching anxiously 
from the upper piazza, perceived a white pennon 
(a bath towel) appear and wave vigorously from 
the Jamison station. 

Hurrah ! White means * yes ^ I They are 
coming I shouted Roger and Jack, tumbling 
down-stairs to announce to the rest of the family 
that the Jamisons could go with them for a sail 
that afternoon. Everyone knew it already, and 
that they were to start at two o^clock, but that 
did not matter. The signal officers were de- 
lighted with the success of their scheme. 

At two o’clock that afternoon a party of 


THE THREE GATS 


78 

sweater-clad Gays, with little Ann in their 
midst, gathered on the beach. They had extra 
wraps and a voluminous lunch basket. They 
were soon joined by Mr. and Mrs. Jamison, 
the two boys and — yes I the baby, too. The 
Jamisons wore sweaters and were armed, like 
themselves, with wraps and a lunch basket. 
Baby Clare had never been sailing before. She 
sat crowing happily on her mother’s arm while 
her father carried some of the wraps and the 
lunch basket ; which last, he declared, was much 
heavier than the baby. 

The tide was high. It was a very jolly party 
that climbed from the chair, which Captain 
Grumpus had placed on the beach, into the bow 
of the boat, which on account of the high tide 
had been able to come right up to the beach. 
Charley Rover was busy with the sail. Captain 
Grumpus stood ready to pull each one up safely 
from the chair, that shook and tipped backward 
or forward in a terrifying manner. Mr. Jam- 
ison’s turn came the next to the last. He was a 
stout man. Having climbed laboriously on to 
the long-suffering chair he was about to hoist 


IN MAINE 


79 

himself into the bow when the chair tilted for- 
ward suddenly, leaving Mr. Jamison hanging in 
mid-air, his hands in the boat and his feet en- 
tangled in the rungs of the chair. 

“ Avast there ! Steady ! Cast anchor I Here 
ye be. My, ye're a good ketch ! " cried the cap- 
tain as he hoisted the heavy load on board, with 
much snorting, pufiSng and kicking, and some 
vigorous shoving from behind by Mr. Gay. 

“ You certainly caught a whale that time," 
laughed Mr. Jamison, mopping his face which 
was red from his exertions. 

All aboard I " cried the captain ; and a mo- 
ment later the boat glided away from the beach. 


CHAPTER X 


*‘fat man's island'^ 

Where ye goin' ter-day ? " inquired Captain 
Grumpus in a hoarse growl, glaring fiercely 
about at the assembled passengers and fixing his 
eye upon little Ann. That young lady, not be- 
ing acquainted with the captain's ways, was hor- 
ribly frightened, and hid behind Mrs. Gay's 
skirts from which she peeped forth like a little 
wild bird. But it was not long before she 
emerged ; and she and the captain became fast 
friends. 

** You have a big, lively crew to handle to- 
day, Cap'll," said Mr. Gay. “ We should like 
to see the rapids at the eastern end of the island. 
And on the way back we might investigate 
* Pickle ' Island." 

“Pickle? The idea of calling an island by 
such a name ! " exclaimed Kathryn. 

80 


IN MAINE 8 1 

** Let^s give it a better one/^ suggested Her- 
bert. 

“ Yes, let's,'* agreed Roger. 

But we ought to wait until we see it before 
we shall know what to call it," said Ralph, very 
sensibly. 

Why was it called ‘ Pickle,' Cap'n ? " in- 
quired Jack. 

“ Wall," replied the captain slowly, with a 
familiar twinkle in the eye that the children 
had come to know so well, " I reckon it's be- 
cause there ain't no pickles ter be hed fer three 
mile. Ain't thet the reason most things is 
named ? Never knew a ' Sea View House ' thet 
hed a sign o' a view. An' ^ Oak Ridge ' is al- 
ways pines, an' so on. Ain't thet so?" 

It is nearly always so, I do believe," laughed 
Mrs. Gay. 

The children sat in a row on the edge of the 
boat with their feet hanging over the edge. The 
water was very smooth, so it was safe to do this. 
Some one had brought some pilot biscuit, which 
is delicious when dipped in sea water. Charley 
Rover leaned over the side of the boat with a 


82 


THE THREE GATS 


biscuit in his hand, and when the boat lurched 
dipped it in quickly and passed it along the 
line/^ Several times he seemed about to fall in, 
but he recovered himself just in time, laughing 
heartily at the children's screams. His little 
yellow dog never left his master's side for a mo- 
ment. He tried to eat every biscuit before 
Charley had a chance to dip it in the water ; 
but his master was too quick for him. 

‘‘ What is your dog’s name, Charley ? ” asked 
Herbert. 

“ Guess,” replied Charley. 

Why, I can’t guess,” answered Herbert. 

Well, let’s see, I guess it’s Rover.” 

Charley grinned and shook his head. 

The children all tried to guess the name of 
the dog. They tried every name that they 
could think of. At last they gave it up. 

“ We can’t guess his name. Tell us, Charley,’^ 
said Roger at last. 

I told ye,” answered Charley, grinning more 
than ever. 

When did you tell us? Come, you’re jok- 
ing ! Tell us, Charley ! ” cried Herbert. 


IN MAINE 


83 

** But I did tell ye I persisted Charley. 

You asked me what was his name. I said 
Guess, didn^t I ? Wall, that^s his name.^' 

** What^s his name ? What do you mean ? 
What is his name ? they asked, still puzzled. 

“ Guess,^^ grinned Charley provokingly. 

“ Come, now I cried Herbert, angrily. “ You 
haven’t told us his name yet.” 

Yes, I have,” persisted Charley. Ye won’t 
believe me, that’s all.” 

Ha I Ha I I see the joke I ” laughed Roger. 

His name is Guess, isn’t it ? ” 

Wall, didn’t I say so ? ” said Charley, greatly 
enjoying the joke. “ Folks never believes me 
when I says his name’s ^ Guess.’ But it is. 
Folks is slow, ain’t they. Guess ? ” 

The yellow dog wagged his tail and showed 
his teeth in a broad smile. 

My nevvy kin swim like a fish,” said the 
captain, proudly. I ain’t never learned. None 
o’ the folks down here ever swam till the summer 
folks come here. Charley went in swimmin’ 
with them.” 

** This boat is named for you, Charley, isn’t 


84 the three gats 

it?'' said Roger. has ' Sea Rover 'on the 
bow." 

Yep. That's Uncle Garry's joke," replied 
Charley. He named it for me. He says it'll 
be mine some day. It's the ^ Sea Rover.' 
C. Rover. See ? " 

^*OhI Ha! Ha! That is a good joke, Cap'n 
Grampus ! " every one cried. 

“ Not a bad un," agreed the captain, puffing at 
his pipe. 

The “ Sea Rover " danced and leaped over the 
waves. Charley Rover pulled some rope from 
his pocket and showed the boys how to tie all 
sorts of ^‘sailor's knots." They passed several 
small islands. Flocks of sea-gulls flew up at 
their approach, then settled down again as 
soon as they had passed. Before long they 
came to a rocky point. Between this point 
and the other island they caught sight of the 
rapids. 

‘‘ Thet's Arrow Point. Don't it look like an 
arrow? An' them's rapids as is rapids," re- 
marked the captain as they drew near. 

Soon they were standing on the rocks, worn 


IN MAINE 


85 

smooth by the water, beside which the mighty 
current swirled and leaped. A stick went 
bounding past them, was caught for a moment, 
then on it went in the fierce current. 

Vwe seen seals leap them rapids,'^ said the 
captain. “ They frolic an’ play in the water 
jest like childern. Many a time I’ve watched 
’em shoot the rapids, one after another, jest for 
fun ; leapin’ an’ jumpin’ outer the water, an’ 
barkin’, too. The Indians used ter shoot these 
rapids in their canoes.” 

Oh, wouldn’t I like to do it ! ” cried Herbert. 

“ So would I ! ” said Roger. “ Have you ever 
done it, Cap’n ? ” 

Hunderds o’ times,” answered the captain. 

We could ha’ shot ’em to-day, in the boat, ef 
the tide hed be’n right. P’raps we’ll do it some 
time. But don’t you go an’ try it, young fel- 
lers ! Ye’ve got ter know jest how ter do it, ye 
know. Don’t ye go tryin’ it in a dory.” 

“ No, boys. We can trust you not to try any 
such funny business, I am sure,” said Mr. Gay. 
** If we could not trust you there would not be 
any pleasure in going to a place like this, where 


86 THE THREE GATS 

there are a thousand dangers for foolhardy 
simpletons.” 

‘‘ Ye’re right there,” said the captain. These 
’ere rusticators an’ landlubbers — ’scuse me, but 
they be, ye know, — they takes resks an’ tries 
ter do things thet an ole seaman knows from 
’sperance ain’t ter be done. An’ they pays fer 
it every time.” 

‘ Fools rush in where angels fear to tread,’ ” 
quoted Mrs. Jamison. 

“ Something tells me that it is near feed 
time,” remarked Herbert, who was anxious to 
change the conversation. 

The smooth, flat rocks made an ideal table. 
Every one sat down immediately. They were 
all ravenously hungry. Mrs. Gay and Mrs. 
Jamison spread out the lunch temptingly, and 
then they all set to work to demolish it. In 
an extraordinarily short time not a crumb re- 
mained. 

The tide was coming in fast as they left the 
rapids and passed along toward the shore, which 
had once been the happy camping grounds of 
the Indians. Little Ann whispered in Kath- 


IN MAINE 


87 

ryn^s ear, I never, never had such a good 
time I What fun picnics are I Oh, isn’t it 
wonderful ? ” 

Every one settled himself comfortably in the 
boat. Baby Clare went sweetly to sleep, wrapped 
in a nest made of rug. The waves lapped and 
leaped rhythmically, now and then splashing 
over the bow. It was rougher than when they 
had started. 

“ I suppose you can tell pretty nearly what 
time it is by the sun, Cap’n Garry,” said Mr. 
Jamison. And by the way, my watch is still 
set according to city time. There is half an 
hour’s difference between that and the time 
here, they say.” 

Yep. Ye’re right,” answered the captain. 

Dude time’s half an hour earlier — no, later, — 
than Rube time.” 

Ah I I see. So I suspected,” replied Mr. 
Jamison. ** Dude time and Rube time. Ex- 
cellent.” 

There’s more ways’n one o’ tollin’ time,” re- ^ 
marked the captain, his eyes fixed on the distant 
horizon line toward which they seemed to be 


88 


THE THREE GATS 


making good time. Watches an^ clocks ain^t 
always necessary.” 

'' Oh, show us how, Captain Grampus I ” cried 
the children, crowding around him. 

Easy ’nough when ye know how,” said the 
captain. 

“ Show us, please, — please ! ” they begged. 

Real easy,” smiled the captain blandly, look- 
ing tantalizingly at the children. 

Please show us ! ” came five imploring voices. 
The grown-ups were waiting expectantly, too. 
The captain relented. 

“ Wall,” he began slowly, take yer two 
hands an' stick 'em up sidewise ; — no, sidewise, 
palms facin' yer, thumbs up, fingers pointed ter 
th' side. — Thet's right. Now — start with the 
left hand at the horizon line an' count up from 
the horizon, see ? Left hand, right hand on top 
of thet, then left till ye reach the sun. Count, 
now, Roger.” 

‘‘ One, — two, — three, — four, and a little over,” 
said Roger, measuring carefully, laying the edge 
of one hand close to the other and walking 
up.” 


IN MAINE 


89 

“ Four an’ a little over, eh ? ” repeated the 
captain. “ Wall, now, what time does the sun 
set? ’Bout seven, ain’t it ? Yes.” 

Seven five,” said Mrs. Gay. I looked at 
the ^ Farmers’ Almanac ’ this morning to see.” 

Thet’s right. We’ll call it seven. Thet’s 
nigh ’nough. Wall, — then the number o’ hands’ 
width ’tween the sun an’ the horizon ’ll give 
the number of hours afore sunset. Try an’ see, 
now.” 

Four from seven leaves three. It ought to 
be three o’clock, then,” said Herbert, taking out 
his watch. Three ten, mine says.” 

Various watches of different sizes and shapes 
were produced, the last one being a huge 
** turnip ” of Captain Grumpus. They all said 
somewhere between three and a quarter past. 

Thet’s nigh as ye c’n expect to git,” said the 
captain. Ye don’t need ter git no nigher. 
Thet’ll do, won’t it?” 

I should say so I ” cried the children, meas- 
uring over and over again, and experimenting 
in different ways. 

^‘That is a good thing to know, children,” 


THE THREE GATS 


90 

said Mr. Gay. Who knows ? We may be cast 
away on a desert island some day, and want to 
know when to dress for dinner. How did you 
learn that trick, Cap’n ? It is a good one.’' 

“ Dunno,” answered the captain. Allers 
knowed it, I guess. I’ve tried it a good many 
times, too. It allers wucks fust rate.” 

What else do you know, Cap’n ? ” inquired 
Jack, climbing up and sitting beside him. The 
captain surrendered the rudder to him, but kept 
a sharp watch, and now and then gave the 
rudder a helping touch. He smiled drily at 
Jack’s question. 

Wall, I reckon I know a thing or two mor’n 
thet,” he said. I know a thing or two ’bout 
the winds an’ the tides, an’ the weather, an’ fish 
an’ boats, an’ lobster pots, an’ cookin’ 1 There 
ain’t nobody can make a better fish chowder 
nor I kin.” 

Tell us something else, please,” said Jack. 

Wall, I’ll show yer how ter tell the p’ints o’ 
the compass by a watch. Guess ye don’t know 
thet, eh ? ” 

** Oh, no, we don’t,” they all chorused. 


IN MAINE 


91 

Wall, then, out with yer watches. Them 
thet ain’t got ’em can look at somebody else’s. 
Ye kin look at mine here, Jacky. Ralph, too. 
All right. Now look sharp and pay ’tention. 
Twelve o’clock on a watch stands, roughly 
speakin’, for the south. See? Wall, now. P’int 
the short hand, the hour hand, ye know, at the 
sun. Now, just imagine there’s a line like an- 
other hand half-way between the hour hand 
and the twelve o’clock mark. Get thet? Well, 
where thet there line p’ints off toward the hori- 
zon — thet’s south. See ? ” 

This was quite a problem. Watches were 
now turned and twisted until the hour hands 
pointed at the sun. Then hands began to 
stretch out and fingers to point toward the 
south, at first doubtfully, then triumphantly. 

Why, you are right I It is south ! ” ex- 
claimed Mr. Gay. That is a capital thing to 
know. Do you understand, children ? ” 

It took some time and experimenting before 
the children could really see this ; then they 
declared it to be “ easy as pie.” 

“ At noon the sun would be right overhead. 


THE THREE GATS 


92 

Then the two hands would be together. How 
do you make it out then, Captain ? asked Her- 
bert. Ha I Ha I he laughed triumphantly. 

IVe caught you there, Cap’n ! ” 

Captain Grumpus squinted at the sun ; then 
he turned slowly and surveyed the impertinent 
young rascal who had made this suggestion. 

See here, young feller, don’t be too smart 
fer ole Cap’n Garry,” he growled. Why, who 
wants ter tell the p’ints o’ the compass at noon ? 
Thet’s time ter be thinkin’ o’ eatin’. Folks is 
too hungry ter think o’ sech things then.” 

And what would you do if it was cloudy, 
and there wasn’t any sun ? ” asked Roger. 

Captain Grumpus scratched his head and 
thought a minute. 

** In cloudy weather stay ter hum ! ” he cried 
at length. Thet’s the place fer land lubbers 
thet asks too many questions. Now I ain’t 
a-goin’ ter tell yer any more. Ef ye don’t keer 
ter believe what ole Cap’n Garry says, why ye 
kin go without. Here we be at ' Pickle.’ ” 

The Sea Rover ” drew near the little wooded 
island and dropped anchor. Captain Grumpus, 


IN MAINE 


93 

Mrs. Jamison and the baby decided to remain 
on board while the others landed on their tour 
of investigation. 

With a wave of the hand to the people left on 
board the yacht, they walked up the pebbly 
beach, through ^ a grassy meadow and then 
entered the woods. 

‘‘ Why, here are fir trees I exclaimed Mrs. 
Gay. Balsam firs, and double ones, too. There 
is not a balsam tree on our island, so far as I 
know. Oh, I must get some fir to fill my 
pillows ! 

‘‘We will help you, Mrs. Gay,’^ volunteered 
Ralph. “ But what. shall we put it in ? 

Mrs. Gay looked about helplessly. There was 
not a bag, basket or anything in which to hold 
the fir branches. It looked as though she must 
give up trying to get them. But Mrs. Gay was 
a woman of resources. She looked thoughtful 
for a moment, and then she laughed. That was 
always a signal that she had found a way out 
of her difficulty, which she always did. 

“ There is just one thing to do,^^ she said. 
“ We can fill our sweaters.^^ 


THE THREE GATS 


94 

So saying, she forthwith set to work and 
began to pick off the fragrant fir tips and to 
stuff them into her sweater. The others fol- 
lowed her example, and for a few minutes they 
all worked busily. 

Pick from the lower branches that are be- 
hind the others,'' said Mrs. Gay. Then we 
shall not spoil the trees." 

By and by Herbert turned about to speak 
to Roger, who was seated cross-legged on the 
ground, working busily. A shriek of laughter 
from Herbert drew Roger's attention to Her- 
bert's appearance. One look, and Roger fell 
backward with an answering shriek. 

“What's the matter?" exclaimed Mr. Gay, 
stepping from behind a tree and looking anx- 
iously at the boys. “ Are you Oh ! Ha ! 

Ha 1 " He had doubled up with laughter at 
sight of the boys. 

Mr. Gay's appearance was calculated to upset 
the gravity of anything. Naturally a tall, wiry 
figure, he had turned into a “ Globe Fat Man." 
His long neck looked impossible, sticking out 
of the top of a fat gray sweater. While the 


IN MAINE 


95 

three strange objects stared at each other, shak- 
ing and howling with laughter, more figures 
appeared, one by one, each funnier than the 
last, each in turn greeted with a fresh roar from 
the others. 

Ralph and Jack looked, in their red sweaters, 
like Tweedledum and Tweedledee.'’ Mrs. 
Gay's slender, graceful figure had disappeared 
beneath strange lumps and bunches. She 
looked like a funny white animal of an entirely 
new species. Kathryn and Ann were bursting 
from their blue sweaters ; but as for Mr. Jami- 
son, he looked like a feather bed ; and a very 
badly made one at that. There they all stood 
howling at one another, for all the world like a 
circus show. 

It was impossible to work any more. Mrs. 
Gay sat down on a stump to wipe the tears from 
her eyes; and as she sat there she looked so 
strange that the others laughed louder than 
ever. 

It is no use. We may as well go," gasped 
Mrs. Gay, wiping her eyes again. Oh — oh, 
Jacky has got his sleeves stuffed ! — John, if you 


THE THREE GATS 


96 

could see yourself! — Mr. J Oh, I shall die 

laughing, I know 1 And she buried her face 
in her hands. 

It would be sad if we all died laughing 
here,^^ remarked Mr. Gay, trying to arrange his 
stoutness more artistically and making it 
more impossible than ever. Our friends would 
never recognize us.^^ 

We might perish like the ^ Babes in the 
Woods,' " said Mr. Jamison, pushing a large 
lump round toward his back, and trying to 
look at it. 

No self-respecting bird would bury us, I am 
sure of that," answered Mr. Gay. ‘^Come, let 
us walk in a solemn procession, Indian file, and 
stand in a row in the boat. If we do not create 
a sensation then we never shall." 

You may imagine that they did create a 
sensation, which lasted during the sail home, 
right over the top of Carter's Reefs." 

The name had been found to take the place 
of '' Pickle." The island was from that time on 
“ Fat Man's Island." 


CHAPTER XI 


ANN AND KATHRYN 

Roger and Jack were oat in the rowboat 
with the Jamison boys. Mr. Gay was in the 
‘‘ studio/' writing ; Mrs. Gay had gone to find 
the sweet grass that she was sure grew some- 
where on the marsh near by ; she would find it, 
too ; she always did find what she determined to 
find. So Kathryn and Ann were left to their 
own devices. The hours were precious. There 
were so many things to do I It was really diffi- 
cult to choose. 

On the fence rail near the house a row of 
baby swallows sat. They looked so comical, 
teetering back and forth as if afraid they might 
fall over backward. They acted exactly like 
babies learning to walk. There was a long row 
of them, twenty perhaps. The old bird sat on 
the fence post. Suddenly she would fly off, up 
97 


THE THREE GATS 


98 

•and around, then back again, as if to show the 
'young birds all the proper “ steps,” as a dancing 
master does. One by one the babies would 
follow her example. It was very amusing to 
watch them. But they were hungry and de- 
manded food constantly. How wide their 
mouths opened when the old bird returned 
with food for them I There were several fam- 
ilies. Kathryn and Ann wondered how the 
birds told their babies apart, and how they re- 
membered which yawning mouth had been fed 
last. But the old birds never made a mistake. 
Kathryn and Ann kept watch and not once did 
the wrong baby get fed when it was another's 
turn. At last away they all flew. 

The bird basin was well patronized. In fact, 
there was a constant “ waiting list.” As soon 
as one bird had bathed, drank, and preened 
himself to his hearths content, another would 
hasten to take his place. How cunning the 
dear little fellows were! The bird houses were 
not yet occupied. One reason, perhaps, was that 
the boys were continually looking into the 
houses to see if they were taken yet. Of course 


IN MAINE 


99 

they wanted to take the ‘‘ To Let sign down 
as soon as the house was occupied. Now no 
sensible bird would be likely to move into a 
house that was watched as closely as that. Be- 
sides, it was late in the season to start house- 
keeping. 

Charley Rover came whistling along and 
met the two little girls as they were walking 
down the path. Guess ran barking toward 
them. 

Hello I said Charley, stopping and reach- 
ing a hand into each of the big pockets of 
his jacket. I got somethin^ for you. Where 

the Oh, here they be. There^s one for 

each o’ ye.” 

Charley drew out two lovely pieces of pink 
coral. Then out came two skates’ eggs, and two 
“sand dollars.” Kathryn and Ann were de- 
lighted. They had never seen anything like 
them before. 

“ I’ll keep an eye out an’ git ye some more 
things,” said Charley. “I’m goin’ over ter 
' Pickle ’ — no, ‘ Fat Man’s ’ — Island t’-day ter 
ketch sheep. We’re goin’ ter have a shearin’.” 


lOO 


THE THREE GATS 


'' Oh, I would like to see you shear sheep, 
Charley,^^ said Kathryn. 

Wall, ain^t ye never seen a sheep sheared? 
asked Charley in surprise. 

Kathryn shook her head. 

‘‘ Wall, I’ll take ye-all over ter Cap’n Bass’ 
place an’ show yer,” said Charley. I’ll let ye 
know. But we’ll hev ter ketch the sheep fust. 
Come, Guess.” 

Charley thrust his hands into his pockets 
again and sauntered whistling down the road as 
though he had nothing in the world to do and 
time was no possible object. 

The tide was high. It was impossible to get 
into the Mermaid’s Cave. They could look 
down toward it from a projecting cliff a little 
way to one side of it. Every wave dashed into 
the cave and filled it from end to end. How the 
water roared and reverberated back and forth 
from its sides. How could those tender little 
sea anemones stand such an onslaught? The 
force of the water was gradually wearing away 
the rocks along the shore, and yet there grew 
those delicate little fiower-aniraals that a rough 


IN MAINE 


lOI 


touch of the hand would destroy. They grew 
directly in the path of "the waves. It was a 
wonderful mystery. 

The meadow above the cliff was a favorite 
spot to Kathryn and Ann. It was full of fasci- 
nating places to play in. The woods beyond 
were the home of fairies and dwarfs, Kathryn 
knew. There were fairy rings, and strange 
mushrooms that looked as though they turned 
every night into living fairy beings. Mrs. Gay 
had called this wood ‘‘ Gnomewold.’^ The name 
suited it exactly. 

Kathryn and Ann were looking for four leaf 
clovers. The meadow was a famous place for 
them. Kathryn had found one. She held it in 
her hand and was bending to look for more. 
Suddenly she cried out : 

Oh, dear ! I have dropped my four leaf 
clover 1 ” 

Be sure to find it again, said Ann. It 
is bad luck to lose a four leaf clover, you know. 
The fairies will punish you.” 

Kathryn knew that she had the moment be- 
fore held the clover in her hand. She had felt 


102 


THE THREE GATS 


it slip from her fingers as she stood there. It 
must lie at her feet. 

Dear fairies, return my clover ! she cried, 
stooping to look carefully in the tall grass at her 
feet. Ah, there it was ! She reached out her 
hand to pick it up. Then she saw that it was 
not the one that she had dropped. It was 
growing I 

“ Oh, Ann I Come and look ! exclaimed 
Kathryn. “ The fairies have put another clover 
here for me. See what a beautiful one it is. It 
is ever so much nicer than the one I lost.^^ 

Ann examined the clover. 

'' It is too pretty to be just an ordinary one,'^ 
she agreed. It must be a fairy one. But you 
must find the other one now.^^ 

'' It must be right here,’' said Kathryn. '' I 
felt it slip through my fingers right in this 
spot." 

But though the two little girls searched long 
and carefully, not a trace could they find of the 
four leaf clover that Kathryn had dropped ! 

The fairies decided to give you a better one 
because you showed that you believed in them," 


IN MAINE 


103 

said Ann, wisely. ** I am sure it was a sign, 
anyway.^^ 

After that, nothing would convince Kathryn 
and Ann that there were no such things as fairies. 
Do you wonder ? 

The children’s collections were growing fast. 
A corner of the studio ” was reserved for such 
articles as could not be kept in the house or out- 
of-doors. Here an odd assortment of things lay 
spread about to dry. Mr. Gay, who had been in 
the habit of retiring to the studio as a quiet, 
sweet place of rest and peace, retreated precipi- 
tately one morning after the first instalment of 
curiosities had been placed there, making angry 
remarks about weird, unsightly, noisome 
things ” which the children did not understand. 

Of course the collections must be ^‘studied 
up ” and labeled before they were worthy to be 
included in the exhibition or to compete for a 
prize. That was understood. The collection it- 
self was only half the victory. 

I shall not have much to show,” said Roger. 

I cannot collect birds, of course. But I am 
going to watch them and learn all I can about 


THE THREE GAYS 


104 

them. And it is no fun to rob birds' nests, so I 
shall not have any eggs. But I know where 
there are some, and I am keeping track of them. 
It must be almost time for them to hatch. I 
watched a flock of crows this morning before 
breakfast. They are the funniest fellows I ever 
saw. I could almost understand what they were 
saying." 

Jack kept his pebbles in the hollow of a 
large rock not far from the house. As time 
went on the hollow became filled with a beauti- 
ful collection of stones of a great variety of 
colors. Jack was never tired of sorting and 
handling them. As fast as new ones were found 
the less choice ones were discarded. On rainy 
days Jack might often be seen sitting on the 
edge of the big rock in his oilskin coat, rubber 
hat and boots, absorbed in sorting over his 
precious stones, which the wetness made more 
beautiful than ever. 

Kathryn had pressed the wild flowers that 
she had collected in a large book. They were 
now ready to be arranged in order and mounted 
separately. Their number was constantly in- 


IN MAINE 


105 

creasing as the season changed and new flowers 
blossomed. It was a capital way to spend rainy 
days, this arranging, studying and labeling of 
the things that they had collected in fair 
weather. 

Ann was greatly interested in the collections, 
though she would not be there to see the exhibi- 
tion. She knew the names of many of the flow- 
ers. But what interested her most was the 
mounting of sea moss. The moss was found in 
little bunches and heaps among the rocks or 
spread out on the sand showing its delicate pat- 
terns in wonderful reds, greens or browns. These 
the children gathered and took to the house. 
Then they were thrown into a basin and allowed 
to float about until they were clean and free from 
sand. The prettiest ones were selected and placed 
in a smaller basin of water while squares of 
thick white paper were got ready ; a piece of 
this was slipped into the water and under the 
piece of moss ; lifted and drained. Then the 
fascinating part commenced of separating each 
tiny branch and spreading it out with a pin so 
that the perfect design of the whole lay on the 


io6 THE THREE GATS 

little square of paper. It required care and 
patience to do this well. Kathryn made sad 
work of it at first. She grew nervous and im- 
patient when the paper crumpled, the pin stuck 
in and broke off the delicate points and the moss 
twisted the wrong way. 

But Ann had been trained, like the old-fash- 
ioned children, to have patience and self-control 
above all things. One by one the dear little 
branches spread out under her steadily-moving 
pin until the whole pattern lay revealed as 
Nature had designed it. How difierent each 
one of these mosses was from the others ! Ann 
thought she had never seen anything so lovely. 

I am going to make a book of mine. I shall 
tie the leaves together with red — no, with green 
ribbon, and take it home to Aunty for a souve- 
nir,” she said, surveying the row of mosses 
proudly. 

You are improving, Kate,” said her mother, 
bending to look at hers. Doing delicate work 
like this trains your fingers to be deft and sensi- 
tive. The more you do the better you will do 
them. You will have a fine contribution to 


IN MAINE 


107 

the exhibition. I wish Ann were going to be 
here to exhibit hers, too.^^ 

Jack found something on the rocks that we 
would like to put in the exhibition but we could 
not bring it home very well,^^ said Roger. ** It 
was ^vay down on the rocks. It looked just 
like a cucumber. Papa says it was a sea 
cucumber.’^ 

‘‘ Why do you not ask Captain Grumpus what 
he knows about these sea creatures ? asked his 
mother. “ Look them up in the natural history 
books. Then write out what you have found 
and read it at the exhibition. We shall all be 
glad to hear what you find. I would be glad to 
know about them, for one.^^ 

** I can do that, can’t I ? ” said Roger. 

“ Of course you can,” answered his mother. 

I should not wonder if the things that we 
cannot really show will be the best things, after 
all. Don’t you think so, Roger? ” 

Yes,” answered Roger. I think they will.” 


CHAPTER XII 


THE HIDDEN BEEFS 

Let^s row over to ' Fat Man^s Island/ pro- 
posed Roger one morning as the four boys stood 
on the beach. “ It is high tide and smooth as 
glass. I want to see if the gulls^ eggs are 
hatched yet. We saw some the day we went 
over and got the fir. Oh, you missed a sight, I 
can tell you ! — Where is Jack ? 

“ There he is,’^ said Ralph, pointing to where 
one of Jack’s feet could be seen sticking straight 
up in the air over the top of a rock. He is 
looking at a sea pool. But it’s too far under 
water to see much. Come on, I’m ready to go.” 

Ralph stuck a seaweed flag in the top of his 
sand fort and stood watching it wave in the 
breeze. 

Let’s take two pairs of oars,” said Herbert, 
jumping to his feet. “ I will do stroke. We 
will get there in no time.” 

108 


IN MAINE 


109 

'' Come, Jack ! We’re going to Fa-at Ma-an’s 
Island ! Hurry up ! ” shouted the boys. 

Jack soon appeared with a very red face, roll- 
ing down his sleeve. 

“ I’ve got some corking stones,” he said, 
emptying his pocket and exhibiting his collec- 
tion. He put the stones in a niche of rock for 
safe keeping. 

Just look at this I ” he added, opening his 
handkerchief. There lay a strange sea creature. 
It was long and green and just the size and 
shape of a cucumber. It was dead, of course. 

That must be a sea cucumber ! ” cried Roger, 
examining it. “ Captain Grumpus was telling 
about sea cucumbers the other day. I thought 
it was a * fish story,’ and that he was just 
stuffing us, but here it is, all right.” 

You had better leave it on the beach to dry, 
Jacky,” remarked Ralph, drawing his head 
back suddenly from the animal. If you leave 
it in the house you will drive your family out 
of house and home.” 

The cucumber was consigned to the niche 
of rock beside the stones. Then the boys ran 


I 10 


THE THREE GATS 


down the beach, pushed the dory off from the 
tiny pier with Jack in the bow, Ralph in the 
stern and Herbert and Roger at the oars. 

Roger had become a fine oarsman during the 
last few weeks. He and Herbert had practised 
rowing together and they got on very well. 
They bent to the oars and the boat flew over the 
water. The muscles in Roger’s arms had in- 
creased remarkably in size. He could row as 
well as Herbert now. Jack and Ralph could 
row, too, and all the boys were perfectly at 
home in a boat. 

There was almost no wind, the tide was high. 
In a few minutes they rounded Lobster Point. 
A few minutes more and they were going over 
the spot where, far below, lay Smart’s Reefs.” 
Ralph and Jack, peering down into the water, 
could not even see them below the boat. In 
about fifteen minutes Herbert and Roger brought 
the boat skilfully into a miniature cove between 
two flat rocks. The children climbed out, tied 
the boat securely so that it would not be left 
high and dry by the receding tide and scampered 
up the grassy slope of '' Fat Man’s Island ” 


IN MAINE 


1 1 1 


toward the balsam woods which had been the 
scene of the remarkable transformation some 
weeks before. 

“ We must not forget and stay too long/^ said 
Roger. “ Because if we stay until the tide gets 
off ^Smart’s Reefs ^ we shall have to row Vay 
round them, and that will take ever so much 
longer.’^ 

Through the woods they passed and down to 
the shore where the gulls had laid their eggs 
among the rocks. With a wild swirl of wings 
shining white in the sunshine the gulls scattered 
in a cloud uttering frightened cries. There 
among the rocks lay hundreds and hundreds of 
large white eggs. 

Oh, let's take some eggs home and 
hatch them ! " cried Herbert, taking two and 
putting one in each pocket. Ralph did like- 
wise. 

Oh, don't I You can't hatch them, I know. 
And you're stealing them from the mother birds, 
anyhow," cried Roger. I shall be sorry we 
came if you take those eggs." 

Oh, well, I could have come without you," 


I 12 


THE THREE GATS 


said Herbert smoothly. I would have got 
them anyhow. Don’t fuss. There are plenty 
left.” 

“ They won’t miss them, will they ? ” asked 
Ralph, putting his hand to his pocket. 

“ Of course they will I ” cried Roger. 

Ralph looked at the flock of birds over his 
head. They looked very beautiful with the sun 
shining on their gray and white feathers. They 
were crying shrilly. 

“ Well, I don’t care about the things any- 
how,” he said. Let them have their old eggs.” 
And he drew out the two eggs and put them 
back in the hollow of the rock from which he 
had taken them. 

“ Oh, look ! Look ! cried Jack. He was 
stooping over, looking at two tiny, downy things 
like chickens that were running confusedly 
about, peeping ” in distress. They were baby 
gulls, just out of the shell. 

Jack caught one of the little creatures without 
difficulty and held it in his hand, where it 
nestled down for an instant, blinking its little 
bright eyes at him. Then it hopped from his 


IN MAINE 


hand and ran away as fast as its tiny feet could 
carry it. 

The boys scrambled down over the rocks 
where the surf was pounding and roaring. 
Then they frightened a flock of sheep that were 
grazing on the slope above and laughed to see 
the silly things scamper away. There were 
some funny, woolly lambs in the flock. 

“ Charley Rover says these sheep live here all 
winter, said Herbert. They belong to Cap'n 
Bass. He says they are just as wild as wild 
sheep. Cap^n Bass and Charley are coming 
over here to catch some of them to shear them, 
you know. He says perhaps he will let us see 
the sheep sheared. Td like to see them, 
shouldnT you ? 

I should like to see the sheep caught, too,'^ 
said Roger. They must give the captain quite 
a chase.'' 

Guess is part sheep dog," went on Herbert. 

He rounds them up and never hurts a hair of 
their — I mean a bit of their wool. Charley says 
there are two or three old sheep in this flock 
that have never been sheared in their lives." 


THE THREE GATS 


114 

The boys had by this time reached the woods 
again. Here they played that they were ship- 
wrecked sailors who had eaten their last scrap 
of food. They must now eat one of their com- 
panions. They drew lots to find which of them 
was to be eaten. The lot fell to Herbert. But 
Herbert declared that Jack was the youngest ; 
he should be eaten first. Herbert was the big- 
gest anyway and could fight the rest of them. 

Jack bethought himself at that moment that 
it must be getting late and that it was time to 
go. The others agreed that he was right, and 
they started for the shore where they had left 
the boat. 

All had been still and serene in the woods ; 
but as the four boys drew nearer the shore a 
strange sound met their ears. They looked at 
one another uneasily. What could it be ? Soon 
they emerged from the woods and found a strong 
wind blowing. It nearly took them off their 
feet. The sound was loud now, a sort of dull 
roar in their ears. They hurried down the 
green slope. Then they realized what the sound 
was. Their hearts leaped into their mouths. 


IN MAINE 


115 

During their absence the wind had suddenly 
risen as it so often did on the island ; but so sud- 
denly this time that they had not had time to 
perceive it. The water dashed high over the 
rocks. The sea was a mass of whitecaps. 
They could see their boat dancing about and 
bumping against the rocks in a dangerous way. 
The boys stood looking in dismay at this terrify- 
ing scene, terrible enough to dishearten braver 
spirits than theirs. 

** We have got to get back somehow,^' said 
Roger at last. There is no way out of it. I 
guess we can manage it all right, donT you, 
Herbert ? 

It would be safer to spend the night on the 
island,’^ said Herbert, looking doubtfully at the 
whitecaps. ** It would be rather a lark, too. 
What do you say, fellows ? 

But nobody knows where we are,^^ objected 
Jack. 

And it would be mighty cold before morn- 
ing, sleeping out-of-doors,” added Ralph. 

Everybody would be worried to death about 
us, and think we were drowned for certain,” 


THE THREE GATS 


1 16 

said Roger. If we had only told some one 
where we had gone. But not a soul knows.^^ 
We’ll have to get home then/’ said Herbert, 
jumping into the boat. '‘We’ve got two pairs 
of oars, anyway. That’s lucky.” 

But when they were in the boat, and the two 
boys took up the oars and began to row, they 
for the first time fully realized their difficulty. 
The wind took things into its own hands. The 
tide, fortunately, was with them. They could 
have done nothing if it had not been for that. 
The boys worked manfully. 

“ Keep your eye on ‘ Lone Gull Point.’ Have 
we gained any ? ” inquired Roger. 

“ Not an inch,” groaned Herbert. “ I have 
been watching it. We’re farther back, if any- 
thing. See how the wind takes us straight over 
the opposite way ! ” 

They struggled on. But “ Lone Gull Point ” 
remained in the same spot in relation to the 
boat. They had been working for fifteen min- 
utes just to hold their own I It was discourag- 
ing. The boys’ arms began to ache with the 
unaccustomed strain. 


IN MAINE 


117 

All at once Jack, who had been peering for- 
ward over the bow of the boat, screamed out : 

Roger I Herbert I Look out ! The reefs I 
The reefs ! 

Directly ahead of the boat a ripple of foam 
leaped along the surface of the water. The tide 
had gone down. They were near Smart^s 
Reefs.’' 

Herbert and Roger bent to their oars with 
sinking hearts. It was the hardest work they 
had ever done. Then — another suspicious ripple 
to the right of them ! Some way ahead it was, 
but the wind bore the dory toward it with ir- 
resistible force. Was that ripple over the reefs 
or not ? They strained every nerve. Then 
another ripple ahead of them. 

“ Larboard ! Larboard ! ” cried Jack and 
Ralph in a breath. 

In an agony of fear the four boys watched 
that dreadful ripple draw nearer. Other ripples 
came and went, but that one remained. It 
must be the reefs. If the boat as much as 
touched the rocks with the water as rough as 
it was now Herbert and Roger knew that it 


ii8 THE THREE GATS 

would be swamped. Nothing could save them. 
And they must not stop rowing for even a mo- 
ment. Their arms ached fearfully. And the 
boat had not gained on Lone Gull Point by 
an inch ! 

« We’re done for, I guess ! ” cried Herbert. 

Say, I’m sorry I took those eggs, Roger. Hello 1 
They’re busted, anyway I ” 

Sure enough, a yellow liquid was oozing from 
his pockets. 

It’s all right, old fellow,” said Roger husk- 
ily. “ Nothing matters now, I guess.” 

Captain Grumpus said it was — ten fathoms 
deep here, didn’t he ? ” asked Jack. 

‘‘ Ten fathoms I How much is a fathom ? ” 
faltered Ralph. 

A fathom is about six feet,” answered Her- 
bert. ** That means that it is sixty feet deep 
here.” 

“ That is twice as tall as our house, I guess,” 
said Roger. Think of it ! ” 

I don’t want to think of it ! ” cried Jack. 

What would Cap’n Garry say if he knew we 
were in the very place he told us to be careful of! ” 


IN MAINE 


119 

Then, all of a sudden, just as they seemed to 
hear the water gurgling on the reefs almost be- 
neath the bow — something happened. Herbert 
and Roger could not tell what it was at first ; 
then they discovered that the wind was helping 
instead of hindering them. The boat was re- 
sponding ever so little to their efforts. It 
veered a little and obeyed their guiding. The 
tide helped in its turn. In another moment 
they were bobbing and plunging forward, away 
from the reefs. Lone Gull Point ” lay behind 
them. 

Soon the longed-for shape of Lobster Point 
loomed ahead. The Wind, Roger’s friend, in a 
mighty grasp had changed its direction at just 
the right moment. It had saved them, instead 
of destroying them. For just one hour and 
three-quarters Herbert and Roger had been 
rowing against a heavy sea and contrary wind 
to cover a distance that they had gone over in 
fifteen minutes. 

Ralph and Jack fastened the boat. The two 
rowers were so stiff and lame they walked very 
slowly home. Their arms ached excruciatingly. 


120 


THE THREE GATS 


The birds sang ; the sun shone brightly above 
the horizon line of ocean ; everything seemed 
calm and serene as the four boys walked gravely 
up the path — the four boys who had just es- 
caped from a terrible death. How strange and 
unreal it all seemed I 


CHAPTER XIII 


HEPZIBAH 

The children were gathered around Mrs. 
Rover, who sat on the shady back porch pick- 
ing over the blueberries for a slump.^' If 
there are any New England housekeepers who 
do not know how to make Blueberry Slump I 
am sorry for them. 

** So you want to hear another story ? ” asked 
Mrs. Rover. Why, I’m afraid Fve told you 
all I know. Did I ever tell you about Hep- 
zibah, our old cow ? ” 

No, you never did. Tell us, please,” said 
the children in a chorus, settling themselves in 
comfortable positions for listening. 

‘‘ Well,” began Mrs. Rover, ** when I was a 
little girl and lived in the yellow house yonder 
with my brother and sisters, we had a cow 
named Hepzibah. Father and Mother both 
121 


122 


THE THREE GATS 


said she was the most wonjderful cow that ever 
lived. They were right, I’m sure ; for I have 
never heard of any other cow who had half as 
much sense as she had. You don’t usually 
think of cows as being very bright, you know. 
I heard somebody say once that out of every 
herd of animals and out of every flock of birds 
there’s always one that’s got more sense than the 
rest of ’em. Well, Hepsy was one of those. 

I never did see such a cow. A real ‘charac- 
ter ’ she was ; and we loved her dearly. Dear old 
Hepsy I Full of the ‘ Old Scratch,’ too. She’d 
see us children cornin’ across the pasture, and 
down she’d come — thumpety, thump ! — after us 
as fast as she could run, with her horns lowered 
and makin’ all the noise she could. Now we 
knew she wouldn’t hurt us, and that she was 
just tryin’ to scare us for fun ; but we’d make 
for the fence, I can tell you. Up she’d come, 
shakin’ her horns, and pretend to be disap- 
pointed not to catch us. We’d laugh to see 
her when we were on the other side o’ the 
fence.” 

“ But didn’t she ever hurt you ? ” asked Jack. 


IN MAINE 


123 

“ Hurt us ? Bless you, no. Why, she wouldn't 
hurt a fly. And such milk I Ten quarts every 
morning and night ; an' thicker an' richer than 
any other milk I ever saw. Once a hand-organ 
stopped at the gate. When Hepsy heard that 
music she came gallopin' down from the pasture 
just crazy-like. She'd never heard one before. 
Hand-organs never come here. This one must 
have come by mistake, I guess. Well, the music 
bewitched her. That cow began to dance — yes, 
I'm not jokin', — she danced ; back an' forth, up 
an' down, prancin' an' tossin' her horns to the 
sound o' that organ. Father an’ Mother came 
out an' we all stood an' watched her. Dear, 
happy old Hepzibah. I shall meet her again in 
the other world, I'm sure of that." 

It is funny to think of a cow dancing," 
laughed Kathryn. 

We children used to love to feed her," went 
on Mrs. Rover, after putting a large blueberry 
into each of the children's mouths. Whenever 
we had anything that we knew she was fond of, 
potato peelin's or corn husks or such like, we'd 
go to the bars an' call, ' Hepsy ! Hepsy ! ' She'd 


THE THREE GATS 


124 

be 'way out o' sight, maybe, but she'd hear us, 
always. Down she'd gallop from the far end o' 
the pasture. An' then she'd have a feast, an' 
we'd enjoy seein' her eat it just as much as she 
enjoyed eatin' it. — But this won't do, sittin' here 
when I ought to be makin' that slump." 

Mrs. Rover rose and bustled into the kitchen, 
the children at her heels. They loved to watch 
her cook. The berries were soon stewing mer- 
rily while she buttered slices of bread and lined 
a big dish with them. Then, when the berries 
were cooked and sweetened, she poured some of 
them over the layer of bread ; then came another 
layer of bread, and one of sauce ; still another 
layer ; and the pudding was done. A plate was 
placed on top and a flat-iron on the plate in 
order to press it down. Then it was set away 
in a cool place and some cold sauce was made to 
eat with it. 

“ There I " said Mrs. Rover as she turned the 
hard sauce out of the mould into a blue and 
white dish. If you don't think that's the 
nicest puddin' you ever tasted, I'll miss my 
guess. An' if you hadn't seen me make it you 


IN MAINE 


125 

never would guess what it was made of. It’s 
good enough for an epicure.” 

A — what, Mrs. Rover ? ” asked Jack. 

An epicure ; one who likes good things to 
eat,” was the reply ; “ one who’s real particular, 
you know.” 

I am an epicature ! ” exclaimed Jack, some 
time after, when he had tasted his first mouth- 
ful of Slump.” ** I must be an epicature, for 
I like good things to eat, and I like this particu- 
larly well.” 


CHAPTER XIV 


HAEE AND HOUNDS 

The Gay family, with the exception of Jack, 
was sitting down to a nice supper. Roger had 
come home an hour before, but Jack was still 
missing. 

We played * Hare and Hounds,^ you know,’' 
said Roger, a little uneasily, taking his place at 
table. “ Herbert and I were the hares. We 
didn’t go very fast, and we thought they’d catch 
up easily enough. They couldn’t have got lost.” 

They had eaten the crisp lettuce and radish 
salad which had been picked from the boys’ 
garden and were starting on the raspberries and 
cream, with some of Kathryn’s sponge cakes, 
when Mrs. Gay exclaimed : 

I heard a step then. I guess it is Jack.” 

“ If it is not he, we will start out to look for 
him as soon as supper is over,” said Mr. Gay, 
watching the door. 


126 


IN MAINE 


127 

It was Jack. There he stood at the door, such 
a forlorn spectacle that they all tried not to 
laugh, though he did look very funny. He had 
no hat. His clothes were covered with dirt and 
briars ; his boots and stockings were a mass of 
mud ; and water was dripping from his hair and 
garments. 

“ Well, Jack I You poor hound I exclaimed 
his father. Did those hares give you a chase ? 

Yes ! said Jack with chattering teeth. 

Not another word until he has changed his 
clothes and had something hot to drink I ” ex- 
claimed his mother, hurrying him off up-stairs. 

When Jack, clothed once more and in his 
right mind, was seated at the table, finishing 
with great enjoyment his raspberries and cream, 
he was allowed to tell his story. 

Well, we chased them up through the woods, 
and then down the hill to the pasture,’' said 
Jack. Ralph stepped on a snake and got an 
awful scare. Then we started across the next 
pasture, following the scent. There were some 
cows there, but we didn’t notice them, and we’d 
got half-way across the pasture when we heard 


128 


THE THREE GATS 


something coming. We looked round and there 
was a big bull chasing us. My, we were scared I 
We ran for the fence, and the bull was almost 
up to us. Ralph went through the fence head 
first. I tried to crawl under and got stuck on a 
nail and tore my clothes. But we got away 
from that bull I You ought to have heard him 
roar and seen him paw the ground I We thought 
he was going to tear up the fence and come after 
us, so we just sprinted for the woods as fast as 
we could go. And when we reached the woods 
we remembered that we had lost the scent ! 
There was nothing for it but to go back to the 
fence and work along until we found the place 
where the hares had crossed it. That took a 
long time. But we found it at last. And then 
we went through the woods 

But what became of the bull ? asked 
Kathryn. 

Oh, he was tearing round the pasture,^^ re- 
plied Jack. “ We kept close under the fence 
and behind bushes so he didnT see us. Well, 
— we went through the woods and lost the 
scent again and had to hunt for it ; and then 


IN MAINE 


129 

we came to a brook, and we were trying to 
hurry so — well, Ralph got stuck in the mud 
and I had to pull him out ; and then I fell into 
the brook, and Ralph had to pull me out — and 
then Ralph walked against a leaf that had a 
wasp on it, and it stung him ! — and 

Don^t blame him,’^ murmured Mr. Gay. 
“ The wasp, I mean.” 

Poor little fellow ! ” said Mrs. Gay. 

‘*Do you mean the boy or the wasp?” in- 
quired Mr. Gay. 

The boy, of course I ” replied Mrs. Gay. ‘‘ Go 
on with your story, Jacky.” 

“ Well,” said Jack, we had to put mud 
on it.” 

The wasp ? ” inquired the irrepressible Mr. 
Gay. 

No I No ! His nose.” 

The wasp^s n ? ” began Mr. Gay. 

‘^Ralph^s nose! Of course!” cried Jack in- 
dignantly. If you donT behave I won’t go on 
with the story. Well, — we were awful looking 
sights, you know. Ralph looked worse than I 
did.” 


130 THE THREE GATS 

Impossible ! murmured his father. 

** Ralph did look awfully funny. He was 
holding a great mass of mud to the end of his 
nose. It hurt awfully, you know — the nose, of 
course ! — and the mud trickled down all over 
his clothes. My I He was a sight ! And we 
had to walk home the rest of the way along the 
road ; and we met all the village people coming 
home from a party, and they laughed at us I 
My, but Ralph was mad ! He just hopped 
right up and down ! But then he couldn^t help 
laughing, in spite of the pain in his nose. And 
then we came home. That^s all.^^ 

“ Quite enough, I should say,^’ said his father. 

I guess you will not want to play ‘ Hare and 
Hounds ^ for some time.’’ 

** I guess I’ve had enough to last a while,” 
said Jack, passing his saucer for more rasp- 
berries. 


CHAPTER XV 

A MOONLIGHT SAIL 

Mr. Gay had been promising the children 
ever since they had come to the “Delectable 
Isle ” that on the first fine night when there 
was a moon and a breeze they would get Captain 
Grumpus to take them on a moonlight sail. 
Several beautiful evenings had passed, but the 
breeze had been lacking. It was very apt to 
die down after sunset. But now the wished-for 
combination had arrived. It was the night of 
the full moon, and such a glorious night I There 
were clouds, but they added to the beauty. 
Great masses of them would float across the 
sky and hide the moon. Wonderful silver 
edges would appear, the brightness would in- 
crease ; then the moon herself would emerge 
from the mysterious blackness and sail forth 
majestically clear. 

The house, the chimney, the piazza, all the 
familiar objects cast long, weird shadows. The 
131 


THE THREE GATS 


132 

trees seemed to take on a spectral life, trans- 
formed by the wizard moon. Every one spoke 
in whispers as they walked silently along the 
grassy path that led to the beach. The children 
cast awed glances to right and left. The shadow 
of the fence seemed to leap at them. A slender 
beach tree that stood beside the path seemed to 
raise its arms suddenly and lean toward them. 
It was as though they were in a new world, 
swayed by the witchery of the moon. Every- 
thing around them, they themselves, perhaps, 
were under its power and unable to resist. 

Kathryn loitered behind the others and looked 
eagerly about. If the fairies ever showed them- 
selves clearly, it would be now. She had a feel- 
ing that they were all about her. If she were 
alone, she was sure they would come and frolic 
with her. She had half a mind to slip away 
from the others and stay there and see what 
would happen. But that would never do, of 
course. They would miss her and would come 
looking and calling. Oh, dear I All the mys- 
tery would be spoiled, and the fairies frightened ' 
away. Besides, she would miss the sail. And 


IN MAINE 


133 

there was Ann. She must not leave her. So 
Kathryn stayed with the others. 

Here we are. Look out and don^t fall. 
Step over this rock. That^s right.^' 

How strange and hollow her father^s voice 
sounded ! How strange the beach looked I 
Every rock and pebble seemed to stand by itself. 
There lay the yacht, waiting for them in a path 
of light that lay across the water. On the beach 
was a black shadow that waved its hand to 
them. It must be the captain. 

The captain was in one of his silent moods. 
He helped them into the dory, bent to the oars, 
and rowed toward the boat. Charley Rover was 
standing on the bow. The oars creaked rhyth- 
mically in the rowlocks. Great splashes of 
phosphorescence followed each dip of the oar. 
The moon suddenly disappeared beneath a cloud 
as Charley leaned over and helped them on 
board ; they settled themselves in their favorite 
places ; the sail caught the wind and they glided 
smoothly beyond the point and out into the 
open, just as the moon burst out and shone down 
making a glimmering path across the open ex- 


THE THREE GATS 


134 

panse of shining wonder. They seemed to be 
in an enchanted boat on their way to fairy- 
land. 

Little Ann pressed Kathryn^s hand. Then 
she sat speechless with delight. Once settled in 
her place in the bow she did not speak nor 
move. Kathryn, stretched at full length with 
her face over the bow, lost herself in a beautiful 
dream. 

By and by Mrs. Gay started a low, rippling 
song that blended in with the sound of the wind 
and the waves and the flapping sail. Some of 
the others joined in. The moon shone serenely 
down upon the phantom ship as it glided 
smoothly along. 

Charley Rover climbed aloft, hand over hand, 
like a monkey, and settled himself comfortably 
in the rigging, where he swung sleepily to and 
fro, much to the boys’ wonder and admiration. 
Guess curled himself up and kept guard below. 
Suddenly Charley called out : 

Cap’n Bass is shearin’ sheep by moonlight, 
sure as you’re born ! Let’s stop a bit an’ let the 
kids see him do it.” 


IN MAINE 


135 

So Charley rowed the children ashore and led 
them up the steep, rocky path that led to the 
fisherman's house, a tiny white box of a place 
standing firm upon a rock. 

Near the house was an old dory that had been 
filled with earth and planted with flowers. It 
was now a mass of bright colored blooms. Kath- 
ryn and Ann were delighted with this. 

Captain Bass looked up and nodded to the 
children as they came near, then went on with 
his work of shearing the sheep. 

How still and limp the creature lay on the 
captain's knee while he skilfully clipped the wool 
from it ! And what a queer, skinny looking 
thing it looked when he had finished his work ! 
With one sniff at his cast-off clothing the sheep, 
looking very much surprised and a little morti- 
fied at its appearance, ran away out of sight to 
the other end of the yard. 

What made him lie so limp and still, with 
his head falling down?" asked Jack. Was he 
frightened, or didn't he care? " 

“ Blamed if I know," said Charley. Sheep 
are silly things, anyway. We hed a great time 


THE THREE GATS 


136 

ketchin^ ^em this afternoon, didn’t we, Guess? 
An’ Guess behaved like a gentleman an’ rounded 
’em up in great style. But he didn’t bite ’em 
once.” 

It must have been exciting,” said Herbert. 
“ Say, I’d like to go with you some time, 
Charley.” 

You’d soon be glad to go home, I guess,” 
answered Charley. We had a tough time 
getting these uns, I can tell you. Chased ’em 
up and down all over the island; through 
bushes, over rocks, down steep banks. They’d 
jump and run like the wind. Thought we’d 
never ketch ’em in the world. These five took 
the whole afternoon. There’s about a dozen 
left yet, the wildest of the lot. But we’ll git 
’em, won’t we. Guess ? ” 

Guess stood watching the shearing process 
intently. He had an important air as though 
he realized how necessary a part he had played 
in the whole affair. Clip, clip I went the little 
instrument in the captain’s skilful hands. The 
wool fell in even rows and rolled to the ground. 
The children held their breaths as the clipper 


IN MAINE 


137 

wound its way quickly around throat and ears 
of the sheep. But never once did it slip or even 
scratch the skin. 

The old, weather-beaten fisherman with his 
long white beard, bending over the helpless 
form of the sheep, made a weird picture in the 
moonlight. 

“ Time to go ! said Charley. Good-night, 
Cap'n I ” 

They were soon back on the boat again. By 
and by the black silhouette of the trees stood 
out. The familiar outlines of Lobster Point ap- 
peared. There was Eagle's Nest " peeping 
from the tree tops. 

“ Another thing to remember," whispered 
Ann, as she gave one last look at the water and 
the Sea Rover " lying in the path of light. 

‘‘Good-night, beautiful Moon ! " said Kathryn. 
She threw her a kiss when no one was looking. 


4 


CHAPTER XVI 


'' hayin' " 

Roger, Kathryn and Jack and Ann, pails in 
hand, went scampering across the fields, over 
the quaint stile with its two little steps on 
each side, which the children loved to climb, 
through the strip of woods and out upon the 
road. The wild roses were still blossoming, 
late as it was ; deep pink, as they always are 
near the salt water. A sound of wheels came 
from down the road. Few vehicles passed. 
The children waited to see who this might be. 

“GiddapI Wake up, Noah I Here you, Job! 
Haw there I Come on, now I " came a familiar 
voice. In a moment a hay cart appeared with 
Charley Rover walking beside it, urging on the 
two patient, slow moving oxen. Guess barked 
a welcome to them. 

Hullo, there 1 " he exclaimed as he caught 
sight of the children. '' Where you bound ? " 
138 


IN MAINE 


139 

“ We were going berrying/' said Roger, strok- 
ing the oxen's noses. 

“ Give us a ride, won't you ? " asked Jack, who 
had already climbed into the empty hay cart. 

“ Sure ! " cried Charley grinning. ‘‘ Why 
don't ye come hayin' with me ? I'll give ye-all 
the most excitin’ trip ye ever took. Come on ! 
Little gals'll go too, hey ? " 

Where are you going for the hay ? " asked 
Kathryn. I would like to go. I love to get 
into hay. Don't you, Ann ? " 

Yes indeed," replied Ann. 

Charley Rover grinned. 

Ye couldn't guess where I'm goin' arter it," 
he said. Well, I'll tell yer. I'm goin' acrost 
the cassy fer it. Right acrost the ma'sh 'n' over 
the cassy ; git loaded up ; then back agin afore 
tide rises. — Come on ef ye're goin'." 

What is a cassy, Charley ? " asked Kathryn 
looking about inquiringly. 

“ That there's the cassy, ahead of us," ex- 
plained Charley, pointing to the cove that 
separated them from the point of land opposite 
them. 


THE THREE GATS 


140 

This sounded exciting. To drive across the 
causeway and back again before the tide had 
time to turn ! With a whoop of delight the 
four children tumbled into the cart and sat on 
the hard boards. 

Ha ! Ha ! You^re game kids ! laughed 
Charley, starting the team on. But hold on 
tight, now. Take keer o^ the little gals. I 
wouldn^t hev nothin^ heppen ter yer. Tek hold 
o’ the sides, an’ hold on tight ! Haw I Go on, 
Job ! On, Noah ! Gee there I ” 

Straight up the opposite bank with a heave 
and a jolt, down with a bang across the uneven 
ground ; with a terrifying lurch they went 
across the marshy stretch of land that led to the 
causeway. Then straight on to the muddy flats 
left bare by the tide, splash ! through pools and 
crash over rocks. 

The children laughed as they had never 
laughed before. With each jolt they fell for- 
ward or backward in a heap in the bottom of 
the cart. Bump would go their heads against 
the sides. They felt ” black and blue spots 
appearing all over them. When they saw a 


IN MAINE 


141 

rock looming ahead they would all howl in an- 
ticipation, and then scream loudly as they 
jounced over it. Charley had been right in- 
deed. It was the most exciting ride that they 
had ever had. The latter, who now sat on the 
seat in front, turned grinning to them, saying 
often : 

‘‘Wall, now, wa^nT thet a good un, hey? 
Teeth all right? Ye're all there, ain't ye? 
Don't fall out," and so forth. 

“ Oh, I never, never laughed so I " cried Kath- 
ryn, trying to wipe her eyes, but instead giving 
herself a blow on the nose as the cart lurched. 

“It is Ha! ha! — OA.^" cried Ann, as 

Kathryn and she cracked their heads together 
suddenly. 

“ This is the larkiest lark ! " cried Roger, fall- 
ing unexpectedly backward with his heels in 
the air. 

“ It's cor-or-orking ! " stuttered Jack, holding 
on with both hands and looking anything but 
happy. 

“ Tide's turnin'," announced Charley, looking 
down at the deepening pools and tiny streams 


142 


THE THREE GATS 


of water that as they progressed began to run 
more quickly through the sand of the causeway. 
<< We got ter hurry, or well hev ter swim back. 
Shan’t we, Guess ? ” 

They climbed the opposite bank, and rolled 
and strained their way up to where the hay- 
cocks stood ready to be taken away. It was fun 
to tread down the hay and help pile it in the 
cart. Charley was a wild, reckless, jolly fellow, 
and very good company. He enlivened the 
work of haying with exciting tales of adventure. 
At last the cart was full, and the children com- 
fortably settled in the soft hay. Charley stood 
back and surveyed them. 

Wall, ye look toFable comfort’ble,” he re- 
marked. “ But yell hev ter hoF on tighter’n 
ever now, I tell ye I Won’t git banged so much, 
but ye may tumble off. So whatever happens, 
hoF on tight, mind ! I won’t let ye git 
drownded ! ” 

All right, Charley, but let’s not wait ! ” 
said Roger. We shall be all right, but don’t 
wait ! ” 

No, let’s not wait I ” cried Kathryn and 


IN MAINE 


143 

Jack, thinking of the tide that was rising surely 
and steadily in the causeway below them. Ann 
sat still and said nothing. If she was fright- 
ened she made no sign. 

Sure enough, when the hay cart stood on one 
end and plunged forward into the causeway a 
foot of water rippled and laughed over its sur-> 
face. 

Now don^t ye be scared,’^ warned Charley, 
taking his seat and holding the reins carefully. 

Ye may git jounced an’ splashed, ’cause I can’t 
see all the rocks as I could afore, now they’re 
covered up ; but I know where most of ’em be, 
an’ I’ve driv over this ’ere cassy more times’n 
ye can think.” 

It had been an exciting ride over ; but that 
was nothing to the trip back. To be riding 
through the water I How strange it seemed ! 
One of the oxen stumbled over a rock and 
nearly fell, but Charley was equal to the occa- 
sion, and with a Look out there. Job! ” held 
him up. Once or twice the cart stood on one 
wheel and seemed about to overturn ; but with a 
lurch, a splash and a bump it righted itself. 


THE THREE GATS 


144 

Charley Rover knew what he was about, and 
could manage a hay cart as well as a power 
boat. 

As they drew near the center of the causeway, 
the water came up to the hubs of the wheels. 
The children held their breaths and looked at 
each other with round eyes and tightened lips. 
They were terribly frightened. But they would 
not for the world have allowed Charley Rover 
to know it. 

‘‘Wouldn^t yer ma be s’prised ter see ye 
now ? inquired Charley, turning about and 
winking at them mischievously. Yer pa'd be 
skeered too. I’ll bet. Say, I’ve a good mind ter 
unhitch them oxen an’ ride ashore on ’em, an’ 
leave ye here in the cart. Ye’d float ashore, 
p’raps.” 

He squinted wickedly at the sky. Then he 
looked down at the water and wagged his head 
doubtfully. 

Looks like a storm,” he said. “ I’ve heerd 
tell there’s a quagmire here’bouts some’res. If 
ye stop, same ’s we’re doin’, why, ye sink in an’ 
sink in, down, an’ down, an’ the water an’ sand 



THE WATER CAME UP TO THE HUBS 


I 


} 


I 


\ 

f 





> 


« 


I 




I 




i 




» 


t ^ 


I 

,1 




K 

V 




r 


1 


i 




V 


»• 


I 






L 


i 


* 


I 


/• 


Sm 



I I 


I 


A 


I 


I 




I 

I 




\ 

A 


\ 


• J - 

I 


% 

4 



IN MAINE 


145 

closes up over yer head an^ ye smothercates. 
Awful, ain't it? " He grinned at the children. 

All right, Charley," said Roger, laughing. 

But go on, please. See how the water is rising 
over the wheels." 

“ Wall," said Charley, I could git out all 
right on the oxen. But I couldn't undertek 
ter git ye-all out. My I Tide is risin' I " 

The joke had gone about far enough. The 
children were growing angry and terrified. 
Charley Rover had the reputation of being a 
mischievous, reckless fellow. How did they 
know if he might not carry the joke beyond 
his own control ? 

But Charley had not the slightest intention 
of allowing harm to come to the children, or to 
his load of hay, or to his oxen. He was only en- 
joying this unusual opportunity of teasing, and 
trying to see if these dudes " had sand " enough 
to stand it. He urged on the oxen, and before 
long the team had gained dry land once more. 
The children looked back at the water through 
which they had passed, and thrilled to think 
of what an experience it had been, after ail. 


THE THREE GHTS 


146 

“ I was jest tryin^ ter skeer ye a little/' said 
Charley. “Didn't mind, did ye? Wanted ter 
see ef ye was made o' the right stuff. An' ye 
are, by gum ! I'm proud o' ye I But ye did 
look kinder jest a little bit skeered, back thar 
fer a minute or two. Don't blame ye, neither." 

“ It has been great I " said Roger, starting 
to climb down. “ Ow I " It was lucky that 
Charley lifted him, for he was so stiff that he 
would have fallen. 

“Ouch I " and “ Ow-ow I " cried Kathryn, Jack 
and Ann in turn as they tried to walk. But a 
few kicks and waves of the arms limbered them 
out and they were able to limp slowly home, 
after waving good-bye to Charley and the hay 
cart. 

“ Well, it has been a corking trip," said Roger. 
“ And I've got some black and blue spots to 
show for it." 

“So have I," said Kathryn. “ But I would 
not have missed it for anything." 

“ Neither would I," said Ann. 

“ I'm all one black and blue spot," said Jack. 
“ But it has been corking ! Corking! " 


CHAPTER XVII 


THE SEA DOG 

All the next day and the following day the 
fog had lain thick and impenetrable over the 

Delectable Isle” as Mrs. Gay called it. Now 
and then the sun would seem to be getting 
the better of it and would shine out clear ; the 
children would run out on the piazza and watch 
for the blue sky ; then the fog would close in 
again so thickly as to hide even the near-by 
trees. There was danger of getting lost if one 
went far from the house. But toward night the 
wind came and tore away the fog, as if angry 
with it for persisting so long. 

Roger, lying warmly in his snug bed, shivered 
to think how his wild playfellow must be 
rollicking through the forest and along the 
shore ; a reckless companion in such a mood as 
this. The hemlock tree near Roger's window. 

147 


148 THE THREE GATS 

tossed its branches and writhed and bent. But 
it did not break ; it had withstood fiercer on- 
slaughts than this. Roger got up and looked 
out. Great black masses of cloud were chasing 
each other across the sky. Now and then the 
moon would peep forth for a moment and Roger 
could then see the black tree tops waving wildly 
to and fro against the sky. A booming sound 
came from the direction of the sea. Roger 
leaped back into bed and drew the bedclothes 
around his ears, his teeth chattering. 

“ My, what a storm ! he said to himself. 

I am glad I am not out on the water to-night. 
I wonder if there are boats out? Of course 
there must be, lots of them. Charley Rover — 
his mother said he was out deep sea fishing. 
Hope — he’s — got — back ” 

Roger was fast asleep ; sleeping so soundly 
that he did not hear the rain come beating on 
the piazza roof and pour in torrents into the 
cistern on the back porch. 

In the morning it had stopped raining when 
Roger looked out of his window, but the storm 
was not over. The old hemlock was still toss- 


IN MAINE 


149 

ing, and clouds hung heavy and low over the 
steely ocean. 

Come into the Sea Room, children I '' called 
Mr. Gay from his post of observation in front 
of the big window that took up one side of the 
room and looked off over miles and miles of 
open sea. 

See the monster gnash his teeth, he went 
on, pointing to a wide line of foam that marked 
the shore line. Now he seems to draw back 
his lips and hiss. Now he laughs — what a terri- 
ble laugh I We will go down to the chasm and 
see it nearer. How is the tide, Mama ? '' 

Mrs. Gay reached for the “ Old Farmers^ Al- 
manac that always hung beside her desk, 
ready for consultation about winds, tides, stars, 
eclipses, postage rates, cab fares, advice about 
farming and everything else that any one could 
possibly want to know. 

The tide is high at noon,’^ she said. It is 
just about the right time for us to start, now, is 
it not ? But it is going to rain again, I think. 

“ Oilskin suits and warm clothes, children,^' 
said their father. And we must not forget 


THE THREE GATS 


150 

that the tide is coming in, and that Old Ocean 
is in a dangerous mood, and not to be trifled 
with.’' 

“ It is a dreadful storm at sea,” said Mrs. Ga}^, 
looking out anxiously over the water. There 
will be wrecks, I am afraid. I hope Mrs. Rover’s 
son has got back safely. I will go down now 
and ask her.” 

Mrs. Rover was putting a steaming hot break- 
fast on the table. She looked pale, but she 
smiled cheerfully as Mrs. Gay entered the din- 
ing-room. 

“ No, Charley’s not got back yet,” she said, 
looking out of the window at the black, stormy 
water. But Charley’s been out in worse storms 
than this. I guess he’s found a safe harbor 
somewhere. I ain’t worry in’. I can’t. I just 
try to think o’ somethin’ else. Sailors’ wives 
an’ brothers an’ mothers have to. Why, if they 
didn’t they’d do nothin’ but worry all the time. 
The wind did come up sudden last night. I 
heard it. I was awake an’ listenin’. But Char- 
ley’s all right, I know. I just couldn’t lose him, 
you know I ” 


IN MAINE 


Mrs. Rover clasped her hands tightly and 
stood looking out of the window. 

Of course your son is safe/’ cried Mrs. Gay. 
“ He was probably in a snug harbor long before 
the storm broke. I am sure of that. See, it is 
growing brighter. Perhaps it will clear this 
afternoon.” 

“ I guess it will, perhaps,” said Mrs. Rover. 
“ An’ it’s real encouragin’ to hear you say so, 
anyway ; an’ it’s a comfort to have somebody to 
talk to. Sometimes in the winter, when I don’t 
see any women-folks for three months at a 
stretch often, — well, it’s kinder lonesome an’ 
hard to keep your mind off worryin’. — Dear me, 
the oatmeal’ll be gettin’ cold, an’ I forgot to ring 
the breakfast bell.” 

As soon as breakfast was over they put on 
their wraps, and were soon paddling through 
the woods toward the cliffs, whence came a great 
commotion that grew louder and more terrify- 
ing as they drew nearer to it. They were a 
queer-looking group, clad in waterproofs, thick 
coats or oilskins, bending low against the wind, 
their hats drawn over their eyes. But do you 


152 THE THREE GATS 

suppose they cared a rap how they looked ? 
Not they I 

Down through the dripping woods they went, 
over beds of soft, richly colored moss ; past 
beautiful lichen-covered rocks green and bril- 
liant in the wetness. The lichen on the trees 
which in dry weather had been gray or brown 
was now crying out, almost, in its brilliance of 
color. Then out they stepped upon the open 
cliff, in the midst of the deafening roar and tu- 
mult of a storm at sea I It was terrific ! 

The chasm lay just beneath them. A great 
wave came tearing forward with a roar, hurled 
itself against the sides of the chasm and filled 
the air with spray. 

Ha I Ha ! That was a good one I ” shouted 
Roger, perching on a rock and clinging to it to 
keep from being blown away. 

There’s a bigger one coming Oh, look I ” 

screamed Jack, pointing toward the water, where 
a monster wave was rearing itself. 

Kathryn and Ann snuggled up in a crevice 
of rock and prepared to enjoy themselves while 
Mrs. Gay stood behind a tall rock with only her 


IN M^INE 


153 

head sticking over the top. She could see 
beautifully and could “ duck q^uickly when a 
wave dashed too near. 

It will not be safe to stay here long/^ shouted 
Mr. Gay. They were obliged to shout in order 
to make themselves heard above the roar of the 
storm. Mr. Gay leaned forward to peer into the 
chasm. 

There is a saying, you know,” he went on, 
that the seventh wave is always bigger than 
the others. There will be some smaller waves. 
Count them. There will be about seven. Then 

will come a big one Ow ! ” 

Mr. Gay flattened himself against the rock as 
a wave fllled the chasm, leaped up and drenched 
him from head to foot. 

“ There ! Did I not tell you? That was the 
seventh wave,” said Mr. Gay, as he shook him- 
self like a Newfoundland dog. 

The tide is coming in at a tremendous rate,” 
said Mrs. Gay. “ It will soon cover the rocks 
where we are. A big wave might come and 
sweep us off. Remember the story of Miss 
Weatherbee's Chair. And that was very much 


THE THREE GATS 


154 

higher than this place, and the tide was going 
down, too. — Come back, Roger ! Don’t be fool- 
hardy. That is not bravery, you know.” 

Roger was leaning forward near the edge of 
the rock, looking at something far out on the 
water. 

'‘What is that black thing out there?” he 
asked. “ See, on top of that wave? It is some- 
thing alive I ” 

“ It is alive,” cried Kathryn. “ I have been 
watching it for a long time. I thought at first 
it was a piece of seaweed.” 

“ It does look alive,” said Mrs. Gay, looking 
intently at the floating thing. “ It does look 
alive I ” she repeated. “ See it bob up and 
down.” 

Mr. Gay took off his glasses, polished them 
and looked long and carefully. “ By Jingo I ” 
he exclaimed. “ The poor little thing 1 ” 

“ It is a little black dog, isn’t it ? ” cried Jack. 
“ Oh, dear, do you suppose it will be drowned ? ” 

“ Now it is going to be dashed onto that 
rock I ” cried Kathryn, covering her eyes, as a 
wave seized the little object and hurled it ruth- 


IN MAINE 


155 

lessly forward. But the next moment it was 
bobbing about as before, in the midst of a mass 
of foam and bubbles. 

Mr. Gay adjusted his glasses and examined it 
again. 

“ It certainly acts as if it were alive, he said, 
after a careful scrutiny. But nothing can live 
long in such a sea. Sooner or later it will be 
dashed against those sharp rocks — poor little 
thing I There it goes I ” 

They all held their breath as the funny little 
black mass bobbed merrily up after being hurled 
to apparently certain death. 

But what can it be ? asked Kathryn. Is 
it a fish ? It doesn’t look like a fish.” 

No. It has got ears. I can see them,” said 
Jack. 

*‘But how could an animal have got out 
there ? ” asked Roger. 

** That is the mystery,” said his father. The 
trouble is, we are powerless to do anything to 
save it. Moreover, it is beginning to rain. The 
tide is getting too high for us to stay here 
longer. We must go.” 


THE THREE GATS 


156 

''And leave that poor little thing out there? 
Oh, can’t we do something ? ” exclaimed Kath- 
ryn, beginning to cry. 

“ Let me climb down. Perhaps I can catch 
hold of it when the wave throws it up ! ” cried 
Roger, preparing to descend. 

" No ! No, Roger I ” cried his mother. " Why, 
child, you would be swept off the rock by the 
very next wave ! See the force and strength of 
that water. You could not even get down. Poor 
little creature, we must leave it to its fate.” 

" I am afraid we must,” said Mr. Gay. " If 
there were anything that we could do, I would 
gladly try. Come, let us go.” 

They turned and went slowly, with many a 
backward look at the tiny black object still 
bobbing about in the sea’s mighty grasp, ap- 
parently unconscious of its danger. 

None too soon, it seemed, had they left, for 
with a mighty roar a great wave hurled itself 
over the rocks where they had been but a mo- 
ment before. 

" We were careless, careless to stay so long ! ” 
exclaimed Mr. Gay. " One of us might have 


IN MAINE 


157 

been swept off that rock. We ought to have 
known better than to stay.’^ 

'' We shouldn't, if it had not been for the Sea 
Dog," said Kathryn. 

No, we should not have, if it had not been 
for the Sea Dog," said Mrs. Gay. Poor little 
Sea Dog ! " 

“ Poor little Sea Dog ! " sighed Jack. 

At three o'clock that afternoon the rain let 
up a little. Roger, who had been watching im- 
patiently from the Sea Room window, threw on 
his oilskin coat, hat and rubber boots, and hur- 
ried to the door. 

Going out again, Roger ? " asked his mother, 
smiling at him and nodding understandingly. 
** You won't be foolhardy, and take risks with 
the sea, will you? But you will not, I know. 
I can trust you, Roger," and Mrs. Gay passed 
into the next room, still smiling. 

Isn't Mama a brick ? " thought Roger to 
himself, as he made his way out to the rocks 
above the chasm. “How Oliver Jackson's 
mother would have fussed and fussed if she 
had thought he was going to a place like this. 


158 THE THREE GATS 

She wouldri^t let him go, most likely. But 
Mama knows she can trust me. And she can, 
by Jingo I I won^t try to be funny. Now, 
where is it? 

Roger looked along the glistening brown 
rocks, which, a few hours before, had lain 
under many feet of foaming water. What he 
looked for was not there. He climbed down 
nearer to the water’s edge. The waves still 
frothed and leaped snarling toward him. Sud- 
denly he stopped. Down in a pool between two 
rocks a small black mass was being tossed to 
and fro in a bed of seaweed. Roger ran 
toward it and almost reached it when an angry 
wave surged up. He must be careful. The 
little thing did not bob about so merrily as 
before. Was it only the movement of the 
waves that made it seem alive? Or did it 
turn feebly toward him ? 

Watching his chance, Roger stooped down 
and grasped it. It was heavy as lead, and 
slipped back into its bed of seaweed, which 
closed over it for a moment, as another wave 
dashed up. He staggered back and fell sprawl- 


IN MAINE 


159 

ing on the slippery rocks. Eoger sat staring 
stupidly at the strange thing. It looked posi- 
tively uncanny now, as it rocked back and forth. 
How slimy and cold it had felt I And why was 
it so heavy ? Alone on the rocks with the waves 
dashing about him and the wind shrieking mock- 
ingly in his ears, Roger felt decidedly “ queer.” 

But each wave left the rocks more uncovered, 
and the pool shallower. Roger clambered for- 
ward again, and bracing himself firmly, lifted 
the Sea Dog and fell with it on the rocks. It 
was as much as he could do to lift it. Then he 
turned and looked at the beast. Water-soaked 
and covered with sand and seaweed it lay there 
motionless and still, a black woolen dog, with 
stiff ears, bead eyes, a ridiculous short tail. 
Around its neck was a bedraggled red ribbon. 
It was some child’s beloved plaything. 

Roger, after much poking and thumping and 
squeezing, managed at last to lighten it of its 
weight of salt water. Then he carried it home 
and placed it in the middle of the piazza, where 
it stood up sturdily, though it lurched a little, 
as if weak from its experiences. Roger called 


i6o THE THREE GATS 

the others and* exhibited his prize with much 
pride. 

Dear Sea Dog ! So you are only a flannel 
dog after all I ” cried Jacky, hugging the slimy, 
dripping thing. 

I am relieved that it was not alive I ex* 
claimed Mrs. Gay. “ Some child is crying its 
eyes out for it this minute, I expect.” 

“ Where do you suppose it came from ? ” asked 
Kathryn. 

The nearest land on that side of the island 
is fifteen miles away,” remarked Mr. Gay. The 
mainland is off the opposite side of the island.” 

“Could it have floated so far, papa?” asked 
Roger, aghast. 

“ Where else could it come from ? ” asked 
Jack. 

“ It might — I hope not — there might have 
been a wreck at sea, — who knows? Its little 
mistress may be under the waves,” said Mrs. 
Gay. 

“ We shall never know,” said Mr. Gay. “ If 
he could speak, he might have a great tale of 
adventure to tell us, this voyager.” 


IN MAINE 


i6i 


They all remained looking and wondering at 
the Sea Dog, who stood with his four feet 
planted pluckily apart, his ears cocked jauntily, 
his tail more comical than ever, and a wise, 
knowing look in his bead eyes. For both he 
and they well knew that they never would 
know whence the Sea Dog had come I 


CHAPTER XVIII 


MRS. ROVER 

Mrs. Rover was sitting in a rocking-chair by 
the window, working busily on her nets. But 
she kept an eye out of the window and over the 
black water. The waves were still lashing and 
beating over Lobster Point. Now and then the 
spray would go over the tops of the trees that 
stood many rods inland from the point. The 
storm was still raging, but it was not so severe 
as it had been. 

A knock sounded on Mrs. Rover^s door, and 
in response to her quick, nervous invitation to 
enter, Kathryn opened the door and came in. 
She was clothed in a yellow oilskin hat that 
covered up all of her head but her rosy little 
face, an oilskin coat that came down below her 
knees, and rubber boots. She looked like one 
of her brothers. But as she did not take off 
162 , 


IN MAINE 


163 

her hat when she came in, Mrs. Rover knew she 
must be a girl. Kathryn closed the door behind 
her. 

“ Are you busy, Mrs. Rover ? asked Kathryn. 

Because if you are I will go away. But 
Mama asked me to bring you these magazines 
and I thought that if you would like to have 
me I would stay with you a little while. Has 
Charley come home yet ? 

“ You blessed child ! exclaimed Mrs. Rover. 
‘‘ No, Charley ain't come yet. I'm so lonesome, 
and it'll be nice to have some one to talk to. 
Take your things right off. Here, I'll put 'em 
on a chair near the fire where they'll dry. Not 
too near the fire. That's right. Ah, you look 
like a little girl now, in that pink dress. Here's 
a little chair that'll just fit you. It was 
Charley's." 

Won't you show me how to make a net?" 
asked Kathryn. 

** I was just goin' to say that now was the 
time to learn," said Mrs. Rover, selecting a 
wooden needle, showing Kathryn how to wind 
the cord on it and then setting her to work. It 


THE THREE GATS 


164 

was fussy at first. But after a while Kathryn 
got the stitch right and caught the knack of 
throwing the cord over, knotting it twice, and 
making the mesh correctly. It was interesting 
work. 

‘‘ What made you jump so when I came in, 
Mrs. Rover asked Kathryn. You looked 
so frightened. Did I startle you? You were 
not expecting to see any one in this storm, were 
you?’^ 

Mrs. Rover let her work fall in her lap and 
looked out of the window across the water. 

No,” she answered. I wasn’t expectin’ to 
see any one. But when you knocked I was 
thinkin’ of another storm like this one, only 
worse, when I was sittin’ watchin’ at the window 
just as I am now. Only I was watchin’ for my 
husband then ; an’ now it’s my son. Two days 
an’ nights I waited an’ watched an’ watched an’ 
waited. An’ then a knock came. I’d been 
sort of watchin’ for it an’ dreadin’ it, but hopin’. 
It was only a neighbor come to say that some 
pieces of wreckage had been washed ashore off 
Dead Man’s Cove. But they couldn’t tell — an’ 


IN MAINE 


165 

they never knew. An' I never heard a word 
about Bill except that the ‘ Nancy Bright ' went 
down there. The ‘ Nancy Bright ' was his boat, 
named for me. The piece o' wreckage had the 
name on it." 

^‘Oh, dear!" cried Kathryn. Oh, dear!" 
She dropped her work. 

“ Charley was a baby then, lyin' in his little 
cradle," said Mrs. Rover. But there, the idea 
of my talkin' so, and makin' you feel bad 1 
Charley's safe. He's been gone over storms be- 
fore this. These summer storms ain't anything. 
It's in February that we have 'em. You'd 
ought to see the waves dash up then. Why, the 
spray comes 'way up here. Sometimes I think 
this little house’ll get washed out to sea. But 
it was built to stand rough weather. Firm as a 
rock." 

I would like to be here in winter and see a 
big storm once," said Kathryn. 

“ Storms are grand things to see," said Mrs. 
Rover. It's fine to listen to the roar o' the 
waves when your family an' friends are safe. 
Fishermen's wives feel difierent; it means so 


i66 


THE THREE GATS 


many things to them. But we love it just the 
same. Yes, we love it.” 

** I suppose you like the woods, too,” said 
Kathryn. 

“The woods? Why, I havenT never been 
into those woods a half a dozen times in my 
life. I haven’t been through those woods for 
fifteen years. No, I don’t care much for the 
woods. I’m so afraid of gettin’ lost. I’m not 
much of a traveler. I ain’t ever been off this 
island in my life. I was born in the yellow 
house on Bright’s Point. Moved over here 
when I was married, an’ here I’ve been ever 
since. My son Charley’s been all round every- 
where on his fishin’ cruises. He’s been on the 
sea all his life. Comes home an’ stays a while ; 
then off he goes again. He’s a reg’lar sea dog, 
he is. An’ as for Cap’n Garry, why, he’s been 
most all over the world. He’s been to New- 
foundland, too. You’d ought to hear him tell 
about it.” 

“ Now won’t you tell me a story, please, Mrs. 
Rover, about when you were a little girl and 
lived in the yellow house ? ” said Kathryn. 


IN MAINE 


167 

Mrs. Rover rocked back and forth energetically 
for a few minutes, stopping thoughtfully now 
and then, then rocking again faster than before. 

“ I don^t know as I can think of much to 
tell,^^ she said. But we used to hev mighty 
good times when we were children. We all 
went to the big schoolhouse that used to be on 
the top of the hill. They moved it away to the 
village years ago. There was seventy scholars 
in those days ; all ages an^ sizes, you know, from 
the little tots to the big long legged boys. We 
used to drive to school in the big sledge in 
winter, through the drifts, laughin^ an^ shoutin’ 
an’ singin’. My, it was fun ! There was al- 
ways plenty goin’ on. We’d have quiltin’s an’ 
rinktums in the evenin’s. The big farmhouse 
on the hill — you can see the ruins o’ the 
chimney there now — was a fine place for dances. 
The kitchen ran the whole length o’ the house. 
We’d clear away the chairs an’ dance. Some- 
body’d play the fiddle for us. Oh, those was 
good times I Young folks don’t have such good 
times as those now. An’ there ain’t many young 
folks since the fishermen’s families all moved 


i68 


THE THREE GATS 


away after the fish went. It was a busy fishin^ 
village before that. But they^re all gone now, 
^cept two or three families.'^ 

Why did the fish go, Mrs. Rover ? asked 
Kathryn. 

“ Wall, some say it was because they threw 
back alive too many dogfish that they had 
caught an^ didn^t want; an^ they ate up the 
other fish ; some say they caught too many 
young ones an’ threw ’em back dead. But the 
fact is, nobody knows. — Well, we used to like 
spellin’ school. That was great fun. We’d have 
spellin’ matches. An’ there was arithmetic. 
We’d meet in the evenin’s an’ do arithmetic, too. 
We used to sing the multiplication table. Let’s 
see, how did it go?” 

Mrs. Rover began to sing, rocking back and 
forth in time with the rhythm : 

One times one is one, 

One times two is two, 

One times three is three, 

One times four is four. 

Two times two is four, 

Two times three is six, etc. 


IN MAINE 169 

Then there was the ‘ five times ’ that we used to 
sing to the tune of ^ Yankee Doodle/ 

Five times five is twenty-five, 

Five times six is thirty, 

Five times seven is thirty-five. 

Five times eight is forty, etc. 

Then we used to have sewin' bees, we girls. Oh, 
those were great times ! " 

Mrs. Rover sat back in her chair and looked 
out of the window dreamily. At that moment 
voices were heard outside. The door was thrown 
open and in came Captain Grumpus followed by 
the two boys. Mrs. Rover looked up hopefully. 
Then her face fell. 

Oh, I hoped perhaps you'd seen Charley's 
boat," she said. 

Now don't you go worritin'," said the cap- 
tain gruffly but good-naturedly. Charley ain't 
no fool. He knows how to take keer o' himself 
in a leetle storm like this 'ere. He'll be along 
by an' by." 

“Yes, of course he's all right," agreed Mrs. 
Rover. 


THE THREE GATS 


170 

** Now show us the violin that you made, 
please/^ cried the boys. 

The captain retired to an inner room from 
which he emerged with a very pretty violin in 
his hand. It was made of bird^s eye maple, pol- 
ished and finished carefully, as perfect as a violin 
need be. 

** I made it all, every bit, with this 'ere jack- 
knife," said the captain proudly, drawing a knife 
from his pocket to prove his words. 

He can play on it, too," said Mrs. Rover, as 
proud as he, rocking back and forth in her 
chair. 

Captain Grumpus sat down and played Yan- 
kee Doodle " on the fiddle. 

Wot nex' ? " he inquired. I got a short 
repotoor. Here goes ‘ Money Musk.' I'll hev 
ter practice up afore I can play anythin' else." 

The captain played very well indeed. The 
children were delighted. So was the captain 
himself. So was Mrs. Rover. Even One Cat 
and Two Cat seemed to enjoy the music, for they 
purred a deep accompaniment and winked and 
blinked ecstatically with their big yellow eyes. 


IN MAINE 


171 

I just know he is safe/^ whispered Kathryn 
to Mrs. Rover as they said good-bye. 

** I ought not to have worrited,” said Mrs. 
Rover. But it’s kinder rememberin’, you 
know. You don’t get over it, quite. An’ you 
came an’ talked an’ helped me to pass the time. 
I did enjoy it so 1 Come again, dear.” 


CHAPTER XIX 


THE CLAMBAKE 

** Hello the house ! Helloo-o I ” came two 
voices which echoed back and forth from the 
rocks in the direction of the Jamison house. 

** Halloo, you ! came answering voices from 
the opposite direction. 

Heads were thrust from the open dining- 
room windows of the Gay cottage. The family 
was at breakfast, and this was an early disturb- 
ance. 

It^s the fellows,’^ announced Roger, napkin 
in hand, drawing his head back into the room 
after a wave of the hand to the two approaching 
figures. 

‘‘I wonder whaPs up?^^ said Jack. Both 
boys ran to the piazza and waited for their 
friends to come up. 

“ Their breakfast will be cold,’^ said Mrs. Gay, 
looking at the boys’ plates. 

172 


IN MAINE 


173 


** It is their lookout/^ said Mr. Gay. 

“ Say ! cried Herbert, breathlessly, as the 
boys came running up. We’ve got a scheme 
for to-day, — what, haven’t you finished your 
breakfast yet? Go in then and finish it. We’ll 
tell you afterward.” 

No, come in and tell us now, — and have 
some breakfast,” said Roger. 

‘‘ Breakfast ? We finished ours hours, — well, 
minutes — ago. No, thank you. But we’ll tell 
you all about our scheme while you finish 
yours.” 

A scheme, is it ? ” inquired Mr. Gay, passing 
his cup for more coffee ; I thought something 
had happened. I was afraid the baby had swal- 
lowed a collar button or got the measles or 
something.” 

I am glad it is not that,” laughed Mrs. Gay. 
“ Sit down, boys, and tell us the scheme.” 

Father and Mother said we might have 
a clambake,” announced Herbert. “ Can’t we 
have it to-day? And will you all come? ” 

“ Father won’t be back from the city till Sat- 
urday,” added Ralph. ^^He hates clambakes. 


THE THREE GATS 


174 

he says ; so we thought we might as well have 
it while he is away/' 

Who will dig the clams ? " inquired Mr. 
Gay. Charley Rover is out deep sea fishing — 
safe somewhere, let us hope. He cannot get 
them. And the captain is too stiff in his poor 
old joints. I should hate to ask him. You 
boys do not know where to find clams." 

Oh, yes, that is part of the scheme," cried 
Herbert. Captain Garry showed us where to 
find the clams. We know. Don't we, fel- 
lows ? " 

“ Of course we do," said Roger and Jack and 
Ralph loftily. “ You leave the clams to us. 
But you can get the other things." 

Other things ? " inquired Mr. Gay. That 
means potatoes and corn and bread and butter 
and salt and pepper and coffee and pie and cake 
and ice-cream and " 

‘‘ No I No ! " laughed Herbert. “ We don't 
want a lot of things. Just clams will do. But 
Mother says she will bring some corn, and we 
can roast it in the ashes." 

‘‘That will be very nice," said Mrs. Gay. 


IN MAINE 


17s 

And we will bring some potatoes to cook in 
the ashes, too.’^ 

We got a watermelon yesterday,'^ remarked 
Mr. Gay. We really must take that.” 

watermelon I Just the thing!” cried 
Roger. “ I wonder who will carry it? ” 

“We shall have to quarrel over that privi- 
lege,” said Mr. Gay. 

“ It^s all settled, then,” said Herbert. “ Fin- 
ished ? Come on, then, and dig the clams.” 

The boys ran off in high glee and with a very 
important air, to dig the clams. The clambake 
was to be at one o'clock. They worked hard, 
and collected “ enough clams,” Roger said, “ to 
feed an army.” On the way back they met 
Cap’n Grumpus, and told him of their success. 

“ So you've got yer clams fer the clambake, 
eh ? ” inquired the captain, taking out his corn- 
cob pipe and regarding the boys with his funny, 
pop-eyed expression. “ You're smart uns, you 
be. Git many ? ” 

“Oh, heaps!” chorused the boys. “Enough 
for everybody. Bouncers, too.” 

“ Where'd ye git 'em ? ” inquired the captain. 


THE THREE GATS 


176 

Down at Horseshoe Beach, where you 
showed us, you know,’' answered Roger. It’s 
a great place.” 

“ We’ve picked out just the spot to have the 
fire, too,” added Herbert. 

Captain Grumpus surveyed the boys’ muddy 
clothes and dirty faces. Then he looked inquir- 
ingly around. 

“ Where’d ye put ’em ? ” he asked. 

The clams? Why, down in the sand. We 
buried them, you know, so they’d keep fresh. 
We sha’n’t have dinner for two hours yet.” 
How’ll ye tell where to find ’em? ” 

Oh, we looked out for that. Trust us ! ” 
laughed the boys proudly. We stuck up a 
stick, so we can go right to the place.” 

Captain Garry Grumpus blew a few puff's from 
his pipe. Then his shoulders began to shake 
violently, and his face grew red. 

“ What are you shaking so for, Cap’n? ” asked 
Jack anxiously. You haven’t got cold, have 
you ? Are you chilly ? ” 

Shakin’ palsy, I reckon,” gurgled the cap- 
tain, between shakes. I git an attack some- 


IN MAINE 


177 

times. Feel one cornin’ on now. Eh ? No, 
thanks. I ain’t fond o’ clams, so I won’t join 
ye this time. So long I ” 

Captain Grampus, pipe in hand, watched the 
muddy, bedraggled group until it disappeared 
over the slope of the hill. Then he shook the 
ashes from his pipe and crammed it hastily into 
his pocket ; leaped to his feet and hurried to the 
fish house, from which he presently emerged 
with a basket and long spade. Shouldering 
these, he limped away as fast as his rheumatism 
would allow in the direction of Horseshoe Beach. 

At half-past twelve o’clock a procession passed 
along the grassy wood path and wound its way 
toward Horseshoe Beach. At the head of the 
procession marched Mr. Gay, trailing behind 
him a large watermelon. He had very cleverly 
driven a nail in each end and fastened a string 
to the nails, so it was not so difficult a matter to 
bring the watermelon, after all. Of course it 
caught on every tree root, stone and bush that 
it met and stuck there, bringing Mr. Gay to 
sudden halts, once pulling him over so that he 
nearly sat down on the watermelon. And of 


THE THREE GATS 


178 

course every time Mr. Gay stopped suddenly 
the whole procession stopped and ran into one 
' another, causing some confusion. But no one 
minded at all. 

Next to Mr. Gay came Mrs. Jamison with the 
baby, whom nobody thought of leaving behind. 
Did she not enjoy picnics and have a better 
time than any one else ? How she laughed and 
crowed and bubbled over with mirth I 

Then came Mrs. Gay with a coflPee-pot, cream 
and cups, which she would not entrust to any 
one but herself. Next came Herbert with the 
corn jauntily strung on a string. He waved it 
about so recklessly that Roger, who came be- 
hind him with a basket of fried turnovers, had 
to dodge constantly to avoid it. 

Then came Ann with some bread, wooden 
plates and Japanese napkins, Kathryn with a 
pail of butter and the sugar, Ralph with a corn- 
popper and lastly Jack with salt and pepper. 

How good those clams are going to taste I 
exclaimed Mrs. Gay. ** I do not know when I 
have tasted a clam.^^ 

“ I have not tasted one for ages, either,'^ said 


IN MAINE 


179 

Mrs. Jamison. '' And Baby has never tasted 
one, have you, Baby ? 

'' I hope you got plenty of them, boys,’' said 
Mr. Gay. 

‘‘ Oh, we got heaps and heaps of them, Mr. 
Gay,” answered Herbert. ^‘Didn’t we, Roger? 
And they were the biggest ones I ever saw. My, 
I feel as though I could eat a cart-load myself” 
I’m nearly starved,” said Ralph. “ How 
long does it take to cook clams ? 

About three-quarters of an hour, more or 
less,” replied Mrs. Gay. 

** The potatoes and corn will have to cook in 
the ashes for half an hour at least,” said Mrs. 
Jamison. 

“ And it will take some time to get the fire 
ready to cook them,” said Mr. Gay, striding for- 
ward at a quicker pace and causing the water- 
melon to make wild leaps in the air, which 
greatly amused Baby Clare. 

‘^So don’t get too hungry, children,” said 
Mrs. Gay. 

I hope we have not forgotten anything,” said 
Mr. Gay suddenly, turning about and surveying 


i8o THE THREE GATS 

the procession which promptly fell all over 
itself. Well, we certainly do look like a 
gypsy troop. Where are the salt and pepper ? 
We must have them I 

I have them,’^ cried Jack, waving a box in 
his hand. 

“ Good I I am relieved,’^ said Mr. Gay, start- 
ing on again. 

Suddenly Mrs. Gay stopped, causing the pro- 
cession to fall over itself again. 

Where are the forks? she asked in despair. 

No one answered. There were no forks. 

^ What, no soap?^’^ quoted Mr. Gay. ‘‘I 
mean, no forks ? 

There was still no answer. 

Never mind,^^ said Mrs. Jamison. Why 
does one ever use forks? Fingers are much 
better — at a clambake.’^ 

I wouldnT use a fork if I had one I de- 
clared Herbert. 

“ Fingers are better,’’ said Kathryn. 

And more convenient, too,” said Ann. 

And don’t have to be washed afterward,” 
said Jack wisely. 


IN MAINE 


i8i 


You mean that they are easier to wash, I 
hope,’^ corrected his father. Well, as nobody 
seems to care about forks, we will proceed.’^ 

He started forward. In a few minutes he 
stopped suddenly. It was partly because the 
watermelon leaped into a bush and stuck there. 
Every one fell against every one else like a 
house of cards. 

Oh ! exclaimed Kathryn, plucking the 
corn-popper from the back of her hair, look 
out, Ralph ! ” 

Ralph apologized and shouldered the popper, 
nearly putting Jack's eye out. 

What is the matter now ? " laughed Mrs. 
Gay. ** Have we forgotten something else ? " 
Mr. Gay was feeling excitedly in his pock- 
ets. Then he sank down upon the watermelon 
with a look of despair, still searching in his 
pockets. 

Matches I " he groaned. We are lost with- 
out those. I took my match-box out to fill it. 
Where did I put it? " 

Every one looked aghast. This was a calam- 
ity. Then Roger produced the match-box. 


iSa 


THE THREE GATS 


You left it on the table, Papa,” he said. “ I 
wondered how soon you would miss it.” 

Mr. Gay leaped to his feet with a sigh of re- 
lief and seized the string that fastened the 
watermelon. The procession proceeded. 

The next time you stop suddenly, please let 
me know, Mr. Gay,” said Ralph. ''Jack has 
been pouring salt into my ear.” 

" He ought to have put some pepper in, too, 
while he was about it,” said Roger. 

" These little diversions and pauses give me a 
chance to rest, anyway,” remarked Mr. Gay in 
a grieved tone. " This watermelon is heavy, I 
would have you know. Very heavy.” 

At that moment the string that held the 
watermelon broke ! I will not attempt to tell 
what followed ; how Mrs. Jamison, Baby Clare, 
Mrs. Gay, Mr. Gay and the watermelon, with 
the others on top of them, disentangled them- 
selves from a mass of coffee-pots, cups, plates, 
turnovers, corn-poppers and other things ; and, 
finding themselves unhurt, continued rejoicing 
on their way to Horseshoe Beach. 

At last, after much laughing and commotion, 



SOON A FIRE WAS BLAZING 






IN MAINE 


183 

the gypsy band reached the beach. The traps 
were deposited. A large rock was selected for 
the fireplace, well away from the trees so as to 
be perfectly safe ; the children scattered to and 
fro collecting driftwood ; soon a fire was blazing 
and crackling cheerfully at the base of the rock 
where it was sheltered from the wind ; and a 
great pile of wood lay ready to burn. It was 
wonderful sport to be able to “ play with fire to 
their hearts^ content, here on the beach. Great 
pieces of driftwood were thrown on one after 
another, and dry seaweed which made a fine 
crackling and smoke. The potatoes were shoved 
underneath and carefully covered so that they 
would cook not too fast; water was brought 
from the spring in the woods ready for the coffee 
which was to be made the last minute. 

Now get your clams, boys, and we will cover 
them with the wet seaweed and cook them to a 
turn,’^ said Mr. Gay. 

The four boys stood in a little group looking 
out toward the water. 

Well, where are the clams ? inquired Mr. 
Gay, turning toward them. 


THE THREE GHTS 


184 

We Oh, dear I exclaimed Roger. 

The tide How stupid of us I '' cried 

Herbert, turning on his heel and stamping. 

Ralph kicked the sand. His lip quivered. 

Oh, dear — dear I cried Jack, bursting into 
tears. 

<< Why, what in the world is the matter, 
boys ? ’’ asked Mrs. Gay anxiously. ‘‘ What has 
happened ? ” 

“ There are the clams I cried Roger, laugh- 
ing shamefacedly. There ! See ? Out in the 
water ! He pointed to where a stick stood far 
out in the water. 

We were numbskulls ! cried Herbert. 
“ We forgot that the tide was just turning ; and 
we buried the clams, pail and all, in the sand, 
so they^d keep fresh. What shall we do, Mr. 
Gay ? We’ll start to work and dig some more.” 

Mr. Gay looked at the stick, then around at the 
beach, which was growing smaller and smaller. 

I am afraid it is too late for that,” he said. 
“ The tide is too high. I calculated that it 
would reach the fire in time to put it out, after 
we had finished our dinner. But the clams are 


IN MAINE 185 

further down. Well, we shall have to do with- 
out, that is all.^^ 

'' Never mind, boys,’' said Mrs. Gay, hastily, 
seeing the boys’ mortification. '' We shall not 
starve. There are potatoes and corn, and we 
will toast the bread in the corn-popper. We 
shall do very well. And we will have another 
clambake another day. Come, let us laugh. It 
is a good joke, really.” 

But the boys stood crestfallen and angry. 
The clambake that was to have been so success- 
ful bade fair to be a complete failure. 

All of a sudden a dry cough sounded from 
somewhere behind them. They turned and 
looked in the direction of the woods. There, on 
the beach above them, stood Captain Grumpus 
with his pipe in his mouth and his hands buried 
deep in the pockets of his pea-jacket. A mis- 
chievous twinkle was in his eye. 

Thought I’d come to the clambake arter 
all,” he said. ‘'But I’m sorry I can’t stay. 
Got some fish ter clean. But I brought ye 
a few more clams. ’Fraid ye wouldn’t hev 
enough. Hed these, ’n’ didn’t know what ter do 


i86 


THE THREE GAYS 


with ^em. Hope ye can use ^em. — No, thank ye, 
can’t stay a minute.” 

And the good old captain, with a wave of the 
hand toward the basket of clams at his feet, 
turned and walked hastily away, thus tactfully 
avoiding explanations and thanks. 

Three cheers for Captain Grumpus I ” ex- 
claimed Mr. Gay. 

“ The old brick I ” cried Herbert. 

The old brick ! ” repeated Roger. — “ But how 
did he find out ? ” 

“ Yes, how did he know ? ” asked Ralph and 
Jack. 

The three cheers and a whole menagerie of 
tigers rose high over Horseshoe Beach and, 
echoing to and fro from the woods and cliffs, 
warmed the heart of the old captain as he 
limped toward his lonely fish house. 

In less than no time the clams were reposing 
snugly and warmly on a bed of seaweed. More 
seaweed was placed over them, and they were 
soon steaming nicely, along with the potatoes 
and corn on the ashes and hot stones of the fire. 
Fresh logs, sticks and seaweed were piled on a 


IN MAINE 187 

little to one side so as not to burn the eatables. 
The coffee-pot stood ready to be put on the last 
minute, and the bread likewise lay ready to be 
toasted on the embers. In the meantime the 
big fire blazed and roared. A column of smoke 
rose merrily and floated out over the water. 
The children vied with one another in throwing 
on great sticks and stumps, growing hungrier 
every minute from their exertions. 

At last everything was done. The gypsy 
band sat in a circle while the ashes were drawn 
aside, and out came the clams, done to a turn. 
So were the potatoes and corn. Then the clams 
were dipped into little shell cups of melted 
butter and clam juice, and eaten hungrily. 
Mrs. Gay toasted bread on the corn-popper ; the 
coffee was passed about, steaming hot, and every 
one was soon eating his fill. When they had 
had all they wanted of the clams, they ate the 
delicious fried turnovers and, last but not least, 
the watermelon. 

Then the dishes, — there were none to speak 
of except coffee cups and a few spoons, for the 
clams had been eaten with the fingers and the 


i88 


THE THREE GATS 


potatoes cut in two and eaten with butter and 
salt, as was the corn. How good they tasted I 
And the dishes were washed by the ocean. It 
was great sport to stand the cups in a row and 
watch the biggest wave sweep forward and into 
them, cleaning them beautifully. 

The tide was coming in fast. As little Ann 
stooped forward to pick up the coffee-pot which 
lay near the fire, a great wave dashed over the 
rock and spattered her from head to foot. Then a 
wave crept up around the rock and sizzled into the 
fire. Then another crept around the other side and 
leaked into the glowing coals with a great splut- 
tering. Then every wave leaped into the fire. 

It is the height of the tide,*^ said Mrs. Gay. 

We shall have to help the ocean put out the 
fire. I do not believe it will come up any 
higher. See, the line of seaweed has been 
reached. She picked up a stone and threw it 
into the fire. They all did likewise. Gradually 
they quenched the blaze. A heap of stones 
covered the spot where the fire had been. The 
water dashed and spattered around it, but did 
not come any higher. The picnic was over. 


CHAPTER XX 


THE TIDE KIVEK 

The Jamisons left the following day. Little 
Ann Farthingale went home the day after that. 
One would hardly have recognized the round- 
faced, bright-eyed little girl, with skin brown as 
a berry from the ocean winds and sunlight, as 
the pale, thin child who had arrived two weeks 
before. Her mind was full of all sorts of new 
impressions that the beautiful island and the 
companionship of children had given her. In 
her trunk were souvenirs of the island : stones, 
shells, feathers and little trinkets of all kinds. 

“ If I never go anywhere again I shall have 
something to think of all my life,” said Ann, as 
she kissed Mrs. Gay good-bye. I shall live 
every minute over and over again. And I 
shall tell Auntie all about everything, too, so 
it will be almost the same as if she had come 
herself.” 


189 


190 


THE THREE GATS 


“ You have given just as much pleasure as 
you have taken, my dear child,” said Mrs. Gay. 

And we shall all miss you very much.” 

“ I shall write you a letter soon in the secret 
alphabet, Kate,” whispered Ann. ''And you 
will answer soon, will you not ? ” 

" Indeed I will,” answered Kathryn, giving 
Ann another hug. Then the carriage was at 
the door, the small quaint figure was stowed 
away in it, leaving a dear little face looking at 
them with glowing eyes and a tiny brown hand 
that waved good-bye until the carriage was out 
of sight. 

The boys and their father went fishing that 
day with Captain Grumpus. 

" ItUl help to occupy his mind and keep him 
from worritinV^ said Mrs. Rover approvingly 
as they took a noisy departure. Then the 
plucky little woman busied herself with house- 
hold tasks, humming cheerfully. But she went 
often to the window. 

" Poor woman I Poor woman ! ” sighed Mrs. 
Gay. 

Ten days had passed since Charley had gone. 


IN MAINE 


191 

Kathryn missed her little companion and felt 
lonesome and sad without her. 

“ You and I might walk across the Long 
Beach and watch the tide come in over Death 
Trap Rocks/^ said Kathryn^s mother. I have 
been planning to go all summer. It is a won- 
derful place to see. We might take our supper 
on the rocks. How would you like to do that, 
Kate?^^ 

Kathryn was delighted with this plan, and in 
half an hour she and her mother were walking 
briskly along the road, bordered now with its 
autumn richness of color. Goldenrod and asters 
shone brilliantly in the sunshine. The air was 
clear and crisp and the sky was the deepest blue 
imaginable. It was impossible to be lonesome 
or sad or unhappy on such a day. Nature 
seemed to promise that all things were as they 
should be, and to challenge any one to think 
otherwise. 

Mrs. Gay hummed a tune as she walked ; 
Kathryn skipped and pranced from one side 
of the road to the other. Now and then both 
of them would stop to pick the luscious black- 


THE THREE GJTS 


192 

berries that grew by the roadside. Soon the 
marshes lay beside them, beautiful and rich in 
color as only salt marshes can be. The wind 
rippled and raced across them and disappeared 
in the distance out to sea ; then came dancing 
and chasing back again. 

“ It looks like an immense Turkish carpet, 
does it not, Kate ? said her mother. See, 
there is a blue heron standing knee deep watch- 
ing for fish. There goes his long beak with a 
sudden dart into the water. He has caught it. 
Ah, there he goes, with spread wings. How 
lovely ! 

Soon they turned a corner and Long Beach 
was spread before them. 

A mile walk along the beach, over the 
smooth, hard sand, brought them at last to 
‘‘ Death Trap Rocks,’^ so called because so 
many vessels had been wrecked there. Dead 
Man’s Cove lay just beyond. 

A tiny, trickling stream ran down the beach 
to the ocean. 

I remember this little stream,” said Mrs. 
Gay as she and Kathryn stepped over it. “ It 


IN MAINE 


193 

connects with the tide river. How natural it 
looks I 

Death Trap Rocks were gruesome and wild. 
Even now, when the tide was just beginning to 
come in, they looked menacing enough ; huge, 
black, heartless giants that had stood there 
stolidly watching ships go to pieces at their 
feet, and listening with cruel pleasure to the 
cries of drowning sailors. 

Kathyrn and her mother settled themselves 
in comfortable seats on the rocks and watched 
the tide come in, up and up, round and round, 
until only a small stretch of sandy beach lay 
behind the rocks where they sat, and along by 
the way they had come. The sunset over the 
water was a wonderful sight, bathing everything 
with crimson and orange light and myriad com- 
binations and reflections of color. 

We must not stay too long here,^^ said Mrs. 
Gay, turning about and then getting quickly to 
her feet. Why, how high the tide has come ! 
It cannot be nearly high yet. We had better 
hurry a little. Say good-bye to the sunset.’^ 

They started back along the narrow strip of 


THE THREE GATS 


194 

sandy beach which when they had come over it 
a while before had stretched far, far down to the 
water^s edge. Mrs. Gay stopped suddenly and 
screamed. They had come to the spot where the 
trickling brook had been. It was now a roaring 
river I 

Gurgling and boiling it poured back from the 
ocean, many rods wide and undoubtedly deep. 

“ Why, what — what does it mean ? ’’ exclaimed 
Mrs. Gay. The water must have worn a path 
down over the sand ; and that path has been 
widening and deepening during all these years, 
so that now it is the river itself that connects 
with the ocean when the tide is high.^^ 

The light of the sun, already set, cast a lurid 
glow over the foaming river before them as they 
stood at the water^s edge. Up came the water 
and covered their feet. The tide was still rising, 
would rise much higher. They looked around, 
back at the rocks that they had just left, and 
their hearts suddenly leaped. A narrow strip 
of sand, rising up in a little hill at the turn of 
the shore, just as the sea had washed it up, was 
all that remained except Death Trap Rocks. 


IN MAINE 


195 

And were the rocks covered at high tide? 
They did not know. Before them they could 
see the river growing deeper and stronger every 
moment. Farther and farther back, step by 
step they went, as the tide came after them. 
It was like some bad dream, too dreadful to be 
true I 

Mrs. Gay, her face pale but firm, turned to 
the trembling child by her side. 

There is just one of two things for us to do,^^ 
she said. “ Let us be calm, Kate dear, and not 
get frightened and lose our heads. We must 
either try to cross this river now or we must 
wait until the tide goes down enough to allow 
us to cross. If we wait it must be for three or 
four hours at least. The tide is not high yet and 
it must be some time before the water gets really 
shallow. It will be pitch dark in two hours. 
But the trouble is, I have never stayed here 
until high tide. I cannot remember whether 
the rocks are covered or not. Let us go back 
and see.’' 

They walked back silently and calmly, those 
two brave ones, to where the rocks loomed. 


THE THREE GATS 


196 

black and lowering in the afterglow. Mrs. Gay 
climbed the highest rock and examined the top, 
the advancing waves booming and crashing 
below her. A wave leaped at her as she turned 
to descend and showered her with spray as if to 
threaten her with what might happen. A me- 
mentos scrutiny of the seaweed and marks on 
the rock was enough. Mrs. Gay looked very 
pale as she joined Kathryn. 

'' I — it looks as though — I believe we had 
better try to cross the river, she said. ** It may 
not be as deep as it looks. But first, let us call 
for help.oo 

Over and over again they raised their voices 
and called. But where could help come from 
in that lonely spot? An old, tumble down fish 
house back on the bluffs had been the only sign 
of habitation that they had passed for two miles. 
A great stillness, broken by the booming of the 
waves, was the only response to their cries. 

They stepped forward and stood at the water's 
edge. How strange life was ! So short a time 
ago everything had been happy and bright and 
full of promise and now 


IN MAINE 


197 

“ We will try to wade, Kate/' came her 
mother's calm voice. We had better keep 
hold of hands ; and do your best to keep your 
footing. We may have to swim. You can swim a 
little. And you can tread water. — What is that? " 

They listened. The sound that they had just 
heard was repeated. It was a cry. Kathryn 
and her mother called out together at the top 
of their voices. A voice answered ! Then they 
saw a figure on the opposite bank of the river 
waving its arms wildly at them. It was a fisher- 
man in a pea-jacket. Pointing to the water he 
shook his head emphatically. Then he waved 
his arms, nodded his head, and with an en- 
couraging wave of the hand hurried out of sight 
behind the dunes. Would he come back in 
time? He certainly meant to come back. But 
what could he do, and how long would it take for 
him to come? The strip of sand was but a few 
yards wide now. How triumphantly the waves 
roared I How stolid and grim the rocks looked I 

After ages had passed, it seemed, they heard 
a creak of oars and a boat containing the fish- 
erman came down the river and stopped near 


THE THREE GATS 


198 

them. Kathryn and her mother stared at the 
man in the boat for a moment, then both cried : 

“ Charley I Charley Rover I Where did you 
come from? 

The same, thankee,'^ grinned Charley as he 
helped them into the boat. Guess was sitting 
on the seat beside his master. He barked a 
joyous welcome to his acquaintances. 

Charley Rover turned the boat about care- 
fully and began to row back up-stream with the 
tide. They went slowly. The afterglow lit up 
the western sky and shone with soft, rich reflec- 
tions on the water, the desolate sand dunes and 
the marshes toward which they were rowing. 
It lit up Charley's face, which looked thinner 
than when he had gone away. 

We thought you were drowned," said 
Kathryn. ‘‘ We have worried and worried. 
Where have you been ? " 

Wall, I reckon I come back at jest the right 
time," laughed Charley. Ye'd be'n drownded 
yerselves in 'bout half an hour. — Say, that was 
a narrer squeak I Was ye goin' ter wade acrost 
the river ? " 


IN MAINE 


199 

** It seemed the only thing to do/^ said Mrs. 
Gay. Is it very deep ? 

Ye couldn’t ha’ done it,” was the reply. 

Ye’d ’a’ be’n drownded sure as fish-hooks.” 

** And the rocks are covered at high tide ? ” 
asked Kathryn. Does the water really cover 
them?” 

Cover ’em ? Yis I ” cried Charley, pausing 
in his rowing to stare at them. Don’t ye never 
go to Death Trap Rocks at high tide agin. 
They’re worn away, ye know. Tide didn’t use 
ter cover ’em, but it does now. — Gosh I ” 

Charley wagged his head impressively. Kath- 
ryn and her mother shivered. 

“You have saved our lives, Charley,” said 
Mrs. Gay. “ Providence must have sent you to 
this forlorn spot at the moment when you were 
needed. But how did you happen to be here ? 
Do tell us.” 

“Wall,” said Charley, “ ye’ve sp’iled my lit- 
tle surprise, but I fergive yer. Fact is, I didn’t 
git in till an hour ago. An’ I was reck’nin’ ter 
run up an’ see Ma fust thing. But I’m afraid 
she’ll be in bed, an’ it’ll scare her if I wake her 


200 


THE THREE GATS 

up. So IVe just put in ter Clam Cove an^ come 
down here ter my shanty fer the night. — Was 
Ma much worrited ? 

“ She has worried a good deal about you, I 
know,'' said Mrs. Gay. “ Do go and see her to- 
night, Charley, if you can." 

“ I couldn't help it, yer know," said Charley. 

I got hurt. This was the trouble." 

Charley stopped rowing and lifted his cap 
from his head. A long strip of plaster covered 
one side. His black hair stood up thickly 
around it. 

“ Oh ! Oh I You have been hurt I " ex- 
claimed Kathryn. 

Yep. That's why I couldn't come afore. I 
jest wanted ye ter know. Here we be. Say — I 
guess I will see Ma to-night. I'm sorry she's 
worrited. I can manage it, I guess." 

The dory drew up before a small landing place 
on the marshes. A tiny hut stood back a little 
way on higher ground. Charley, walking 
slowly, for he was still weak, led the way across 
the marshes until they came to the road. Guess, 
as usual, close to his heels. 


IN MAINE 


201 


“ There I Now ye know the way home. It’s 
only a step ter yer house an’ ef ye don’t mind 
goin’ alone and won’t tell, I’d like ter surprise 
the folks ter-morrer. Kinder fun, eh ? — Now I’m 
goin’ to see Ma. I’ll bet she’ll be glad ter see me.” 

“ Indeed she will, the dear woman ! ” said 
Mrs. Gay. Don’t keep her in suspense another 
moment. Good-night.” 

Oh, Charley ! I have an idea I ” cried Kath- 
ryn suddenly. We are going to have an exhi- 
bition to-morrow in the studio. Your mother 
and Captain Grumpus are coming over to see it 
at three o’clock. Why don’t you appear sud- 
denly and give Papa and the boys a big surprise ! 
Wouldn’t that be lovely, Mama?” 

That is a good idea, Kate,” said Mrs. Gay. 

Will you do that, Charley ? We shall all want 
to hear your story. What a blow you must 
have had ! Is your head well enough to allow 
you to go about like this ? ” 

'' Yep. Head’s all right now,” grinned Char- 
ley. ''Say, that will be a joke, won’t it ? But 
I ain’t got much ter tell.” 

We shall have something to tell, for you 


202 THE THREE GATS 

saved our lives, and we shall not forget it,” said 
Mrs. Gay. 

“ That wa^nT nothin'. Glad I was there, 
though. Tide's high jest about now,'' said Char- 
ley. — Wall, so long, ma'am ! So long, Katie. 
I'll be there I '' 

Charley Rover walked jauntily off down the 
road, his inseparable companion trotting at his 
heels. 

We must not tell our adventure until to- 
morrow,'' said Mrs. Gay. “ We might give away 
Charley's secret if we did. We will tell our 
story after Charley has told his. And our story 
will be a surprise to Mrs. Rover and the captain, 
for I am sure that Charley will not tell them 
that he saved our lives.'' 

Oh, isn't it exciting?'' cried Kathryn. I 
can hardly wait till to-morrow.'' 

The house seemed strangely still when Kath- 
ryn and her mother climbed the piazza steps 
and looked about in the gathering darkness for 
some sign of life. They had expected to find 
Mr. Gay and the boys watching for them. But 
there was no one in sight. 


IN MAINE 


203 

Papa I Roger ! Jack I Where are you ? 
called Kathryn. 

Mrs. Rover appeared in answer to Kathryn^s 
call. She had on her shawl and was ready to 
go home. She put her finger to her lips and 
laughed slyly. / 

Hush I You will wake them/' she said. ^ 

They must be fast asleep by now. They came 
home about an hour ago. They didn't want 
any supper, they said. They went straight to 
bed. I guess 'twas pretty rough outside. They 
looked kind o' pale. But they'll sleep it off, an' 
be all right in the mornin'. Deep sea fishin's 
mor'n a good many folks can stand." 

Mrs. Rover wrapped her shawl about her and 
hurried home to the great surprise and joy that 
awaited her there. 

So Kathryn and her mother found it an easy 
task to keep their story until the next day. 


CHAPTER XXI 


PRIZES 

On a certain crisp, glorious day in the latter 
part of September there was great excitement in 
the Gay household. It was the day of the long 
anticipated exhibition. The studio ” was dec- 
orated with green branches. Great bunches of 
goldenrod, asters and queen’s lace ” gave an 
air of festivity to the room. Some late bloom- 
ing wild roses stood in a corner by themselves. 

When Mr. Gay threw open the door and bade 
them enter there were many delighted cries of 
surprise. The exhibition was finer even than 
they had expected. The wood carving bench 
that occupied one end of the studio made an 
admirable showcase. Tables or boards laid 
across chairs and decorated with green stood 
on two other sides. The exhibition occupied 
the entire space I 

At one end of the room Jack’s pebbles were 
204 


IN MAINE 


205 

displayed. Gradually the collection had grown, 
the less desirable stones had been thrown away 
and choicer ones put in their place, until the 
result was a really fine assortment of beautiful 
stones of wonderful variety of coloring. The 
black cloth on which they lay showed off their 
colors to advantage. There were rich green 
stones, yellows and reds ; lucky ” stones with 
stripes of contrasting color ; stones showing in- 
teresting stages in geologic development that 
Jack as yet only guessed at. In the center 
stood the dark red, velvety piece of jasper, a 
rare prize. Each specimen whose name they 
had been able to find was neatly labeled. Jack^s 
father was not a geologist. There were many 
question marks that showed that they were still 
in doubt as to the identity of some of the speci- 
mens. But they might know in time. Jack 
had learned more in making his collection than 
it was possible to estimate. 

Next to the stones lay the shells and sea 
things that all the children had found. These, 
too, were neatly labeled. How much the chil- 
dren had learned in hunting up the names! 


2o6 


THE THREE GATS 


There was some pleasure in learning about 
things which they themselves had actually 
found. The shells were a marvel of variety. 
There was a sand dollar ” ; quite a rarity on 
that shore. When it had been impossible to 
bring home the specimens the children had 
written a description of what they had found. 

In the center of the bench, in the place of 
honor, stood the Sea Dog I Beneath him was a 
label which ran : ‘‘ Animal of unknown species 
found on shore after a storm. Christened ' Sea 
Dog ' for want of a better name.^^ 

Next to the sea things came Kathryn^s books 
of pressed wild flowers, nicely labeled. How 
much painstaking work and careful study it 
meant Kathryn herself only knew. Her mother 
had helped her on rainy afternoons, which 
Kathryn remembered as among the happiest 
and most interesting of the summer. How 
lovely they looked on the white background I 
Narrow strips of paper were pasted over the 
stems in two places, fastening them neatly to 
the page. Then came the mounted sea mosses, 
an exhibition in themselves. It seemed almost 


IN MAINE 


207 

impossible that such wonderful colors could 
have grown anywhere. 

Roger had made a study of wild birds ; and 
though he could not show what he had found 
and learned, he had written down an interesting 
account of some of his discoveries. He had 
made a really wonderful collection of feathers 
which he had found during his walks. Many 
of these he had identified. Such a fascinating 
revelation they were of textures, shapes and 
colors ! Birds^ feathers were a study in them- 
selves, Roger had found. He had laid them on 
pieces of paper of dull browns and grays that 
brought out the colors in these bits of plumage. 

Roger had made a collection of leaves, too, 
mounted nicely. He and the other children 
had learned in a general way to recognize the 
common varieties of trees. 

Then came Mrs. Gay^s baskets I These were 
new to the children, and how they shouted 
when they saw them I There were baskets of 
all shapes and sizes; big baskets and little 
baskets ; round baskets and oblong baskets ; 
high baskets and flat baskets. And each one 


2o8 


THE THREE GATS 


was more lovely than the last. Mrs. Gay had 
found the grass on the marshes ; had experi- 
mented with the different kinds ; had chosen 
what was strong and durable and discarded 
what was brittle and weak. She had sewed 
some of them with the grass itself, but most of 
them she had sewed together with raffia, in- 
venting her own designs. Mrs. Gay was a won- 
derful woman. She had found the sweet grass, 
too, and had woven it into her baskets. There 
was truly no end, as she said, to the things that 
they had found to do that summer. 

“ And what have you got. Papa? asked the 
children. 

“ Here are my photographs,” replied their 
father. I have had them developed and have 
printed them myself on purpose for the ex- 
hibition.” 

The photographs were mostly snap-shots of 
the people and familiar scenes of the island. 
They were very beautiful and interesting. But 
the most interesting of all were several pic- 
tures of the young ospreys, standing on the nest. 
One had its wings outspread and was looking 


IN MAINE 


log 

straight into the eyes of the camera with the ex- 
pression that Roger remembered well. 

Across one corner of the room hung a ham- 
mock made of seine twine, like the fishermen’s 
nets. Kathryn had made it all herself, under 
Mrs. Rover’s watchful eye ; and a very nice and 
serviceable hammock it was ; one that could be 
left out-of-doors in all weathers without fear of 
injury, and which dried after being wet in the 
rain in no time at all. Kathryn received much 
praise for it, and felt very proud. 

While they were examining the collections 
there came a knock on the door which caused 
Kathryn and her mother to start and exchange 
glances. But it was only Mrs. Rover and Cap- 
tain Grumpus who had come to see the ex- 
hibition. 

How happy those two looked I Dear little 
Mrs. Rover was in a flutter of enjoyment ; and 
the captain’s face shone like a rosy apple. 

It was a pleasure to see them admire and ex- 
claim over everything. The captain gave vent 
to his astonishment and admiration every little 
while by expressions such as, Wall, I gum it I ” 


210 


THE THREE GATS 


or “ Ef thet don^t beat all I ’’ Great fish-hooks ! 
Thet's a beauty I ” “ I^m derned ef this ain^t the 
best show I ever see ! was his final judgment. 

Then Kathryn read her composition about 
the wild fiowers and trees that grew on the 
island. Jack told all that he had learned about 
the rocks, how they change in shape and form ; 
where special kinds of rock were to be found ; 
and how a deep river had gradually worn a way 
through two of the islands until the sea had 
burst in and taken its place. It was very inter- 
esting. Jack wound up his remarks by declar- 
ing that he intended to be a gewhologist 
when he grew up. 

** Good fer you, sonny I roared Captain 
Grumpus, stamping on the fioor and clapping 
his hands. “ A gewhologist ye’ll be, an’ a good 
un. I’ll bet.” 

Then the prizes were distributed. Kathryn 
received a botany book by Professor Matthews, 
with outline pictures of the fiowers and descrip- 
tions of them. 

” You can color the pictures, Kate,” said her 
mother. “ But you must do it carefully and 


IN MAINE 


21 I 


get the colors exact. As soon as you find a 
flower you can color it in your book, with the 
flower itself as a copy.” 

Roger received a book about birds, and Jack 
a book about trees. The children all together 
received a grand prize for “ a very interesting 
exhibition,” as Mr. Gay called it. It was a 
wonderful book called '' The Sea Beach at Ebb 
Tide.” 

Suddenly there came a resounding knock on 
the door. All started and stared at one another 
in surprise, except Kathryn and her mother, 
Mrs. Rover and the captain. The captain 
winked at Kathryn in such a funny way that 
she nearly burst out laughing. 

“ Come in ! ” called Mrs. Gay. 

The door opened, and there in the doorway 
stood Charley Rover with Guess under his arm ! 

You may imagine what excitement there was. 
Charley lifted his little mother three times up 
in the air ; Captain Grumpus shook him by 
the shoulders growling, DidnT I tell ye? 
^Course he’s come home safe I Here he is ! ” 
over and over again. Poor Guess was trodden 


212 


THE THREE GATS 


upon in the excitement but afterward he was 
hugged and petted until his ridiculous stub of 
a tail nearly wagged itself off. 

“ Take off your hat, Charley,'' said his 
mother reprovingly. Don't forget your man- 
ners, son." 

Then Charley lifted his cap and exposed the 
great strip of plaster that extended from his ear 
to the crown of his head I Mr. Gay and the 
boys exclaimed at this sight. 

Tell us about it, Charley," said Mr. Gay. 

So Charley was made to sit down immediately 
and tell his story. 

Wall now," began Charley, stroking the 
bristly head of Guess, who sat on his knee look- 
ing adoringly into his face, there ain't much 
ter tell. We was out beyond Smugglers' Island 
when we saw the storm was cornin'. We was 
makin' fer Home Cove when this little shaver 
fell overboard. 'Twa'n't his fault. Bob Sands 
run agin him; didn't he, ole feller? — Wall, 
Bob says we couldn't do nothin', but I says 
' Yes I ' an' I went after 'im in the dory. He 
was knockin' about in a big sea, but I got 'im 


IN MAINE 


213 

all right. But in gettin' aboard we capsized an' 
I give my head a whop on the side o' the boat. 
Bob got us aboard, though. Life preserver. 
Guess was bangin' on ter me then, keepin' me 
up. I didn't know much fer a while after that. 
Bob got me over ter Home Cove, an' there I've 
be'n. Come home soon's we could, ye see. 
Didn't we. Guess, ole boy ? " 

** He came home at exactly the right time," 
said Mrs. Gay. I will continue his story." 
And Mrs. Gay told how Charley had rescued 
Kate and herself from certain death. 

“ So Mama and Kathryn have known ever 
since last night that Charley had come back I " 
cried Roger. 

So have Mrs. Rover and Captain Grumpus," 
said Kathryn. 

** And they never told us ! " added Jack. 

That was so as to give you all a nice surprise 
to-day," laughed Mrs. Gay. 

And they never told us how near they came 
to being drowned ! " exclaimed Roger. 

We should have had to tell about Charley 
if we had," said Kathryn. 


214 


THE THREE GATS 


We ought to have a celebration in honor 
of Charley's return and your escape," said 
Mr. Gay. 

** And to wind up the summer," added Mrs. 
Gay. “ Let us have a ' musicale ' to-morrow 
evening. Captain Grumpus will bring his 
violin and play to us. We shall expect you 
all three to-morrow evening at seven o’clock. 
That will be our last evening on the island. 
Good-bye, friends I " 

The music call," as the captain termed it, 
was a great success. The big living-room of 
Eagle’s Nest ’’ was decorated with wild flowers 
and with a beautiful bunch of blossoms which 
Mrs. Rover had brought from her garden in 
honor of the occasion. A cheerful Are burned 
in the fireplace. Every one sat about looking 
very happy. Captain Grumpus and Charley 
wore their Sunday suits with a posy in the 
buttonhole. Mrs. Rover looked beaming and 
serene now that her son was safe at home again. 
She wore a sprig of pink in her black silk dress. 

Mrs. Gay played and sang to them some old- 
fashioned songs that Mrs. Rover and the captain 


IN MAINE 


215 

had heard when they were children. After that 
they all joined in some old favorites. Captain 
Grampus roared out a deep bass, beating time 
with his finger and rocking back and forth in 
great enjoyment. They sang one hymn tune 
after another. Then Captain Grampus played 
Money Musk ” and “ Yankee Doodle on his 
fiddle. The children recited pieces. Lastly, 
Charley danced the “ Sailor’s Hornpipe,” much 
to the children’s delight ; but dancing made the 
poor fellow’s head dizzy, so he was obliged to 
stop in the middle of it. 

After that they had ice-cream and cake which 
first had been sent over from the village on 
purpose for the party. Guess discovered that 
he was very fond of ice-cream and licked each 
plate clean ; then barked for more, until his 
master declared that he was ashamed of him. 

I brought the childern each a present,” said 
the captain. ** I made ’em myself a purpose, 
so’s ye won’t fergit ole Cap’n Garry.” 

Roger’s present was a full rigged ship about a 
foot long, beautifully made, with sails and every- 
thing complete. Jack had a dory with cunning 


2i6 


THE THREE GATS 


little seats, oars, rowlocks and rudder. Kathryn 
received a mash board ” and needle, carefully 
whittled and polished, with the captain's initials 
on it. The children were delighted. 

“ Good-bye, all I Good-bye ! Good-bye ! " 
Don't forget to come again ! " and with a last 
faint Good-bye " the three figures disappeared 
in the darkness, leaving only the light of their 
waving lantern bobbing through the night. 

Good-bye to the Delectable Isle ! " cried the 
Gays sadly as they looked up at the shining, 
peaceful stars, listened to the roar of the ocean 
and felt the spicy, salt air on their cheeks. 


The Stories of the Series aret 
THE THREE GAYS 
THE THREE GAYS IN MERRYTON 
THE THREE GAYS IN MAINE 


3 






















V 


f • . 


, ^ A 


. I 


; ^ ' 


• * 




. ■ ■'■^'■A. V >:> 

■ ' " ' i ' '' i ’ ' I T 


I 




LIBRA^^RY OF CONGRESS 



OODElEDfifla? 



